Antitumor effects of recombinant human interleukin 1 alpha in RIF-1 and Panc02 solid tumors

The antitumor effects of recombinant human interleukin 1 alpha (IL-1) were determined in RIF-1 and Panc02 murine solid tumors. Acute tumor hemorrhage was observed in both models as early as 3 h after a single 25 micrograms/kg IL-1 treatment and was quantitated by the intratumor accumulation of 59Fe-labeled erythrocytes (RBC). The IL-1-mediated hemorrhagic response was maximal 6-12 h after treatment and greater in Panc02 tumors than in RIF-1 tumors. Hemorrhagic responses to RIF-1 tumors growing in athymic nude mice were similar to those seen for RIF-1 tumors in C3H/HeJ mice. This acute vascular injury was accompanied by progressive edema in tumors but not in skin or muscle. In RIF-1 tumors, the extracell water volume at 12 h after IL-1 (395 microI/g) was nearly twice that in untreated controls (215 microI/g). IL-1 also produced marked reductions in tumor blood flow as early as 1 h after treatment. Maximal blood flow restriction was seen at 6 h after IL-1. Although restricted blood flow was observed in tumors for up to 48 h, IL-1 effects on muscle, liver, and skin blood flow were transient with recovery by 12 h after treatment. IL-1 (up to 0.4 ng/ml for 72 h) was not toxic to RIF-1 tissue culture cells in vitro, but 0.2 ng/ml IL-1, for 20 h, reduced the clonogenicity of RIF-1 cells in primary explant cultures by approximately 50%. In vivo, the clonogenic cellularity of RIF-1 tumors was reduced by 70%, 24 h after a single 25 micrograms/kg treatment. Increased clonogenic cell proliferation was observed at 24 h, and rapid repopulation of the clonogenic cell population was seen by 48 h. Although IL-1 transiently slowed the growth of RIF-1 tumors, no significant regrowth delay was observed. In Panc02 tumors, cell proliferation was also inhibited after IL-1. Recovery, however, was delayed and occurred more slowly than in RIF-1 tumors. Significant growth inhibition and regrowth delay (5 days) was observed in Panc02 tumors after a single IL-1 treatment. The results of these studies show that IL-1 has significant effects on the pathophysiology of both RIF-1 and Panc02 tumors in vivo. Further, our results indicate that these effects may be mediated through the activation of a non T-cell, adherent cell population residing in the tumor at the time of IL-1 treatment.     

31P-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy studies of the response of rat mammary tumors to endocrine therapy

We have used 31P-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to detect the metabolic changes that occur in estrogen-sensitive, N-methyl-N-nitrosourea-induced rat mammary tumors as they regress following ovariectomy. In untreated animals the spectra of the tumors showed a steady loss of high energy phosphates (phosphocreatine and nucleoside triphosphates) and an increase in inorganic phosphate. This was reversed after ovariectomy. Spectral changes occurred before detectable regression of the tumor. Estrogen-insensitive tumors, grown from implanted Rama 600 and 622 cells, did not regress in response to ovariectomy, and their high energy phosphates continued to fall; estrogen-sensitive tumors also failed to respond to sham ovariectomy. These effects are probably due to the reduction in cellular energy requirements that occurs when the hormonal stimulus to growth is removed. Because the nuclear magnetic resonance method is noninvasive, this technique should be applicable clinically as a means of predicting the response of a tumor to endocrine therapy.     

Antitumor effect of recombinant human interleukin 1 alpha against murine syngeneic tumors

Interleukin 1 (IL1) has been suggested to have antitumor activity but there is no clear-cut evidence of an in vivo antitumor effect of pure IL1. In this work, the antitumor effect of purified recombinant human IL1 alpha (rHu-IL1 alpha) was assessed on murine tumors transplanted intradermally in syngeneic female mice. rHu-IL1 alpha inhibited the growth of Meth A sarcoma in BALB/c mice, B16 melanoma in C57BL/6 mice and colon 26 adenocarcinoma in CDF1 mice, as well as the spontaneous pulmonary metastasis of Lewis lung carcinoma in BDF1 mice, at intratumoral (itu), intramuscular (im), and/or intravenous (iv) doses ranging from 1 to 30 micrograms/mouse. The antitumor effect of rHu-IL1 alpha was generally dose- and route-dependent, being highest by the itu route, followed by the im and iv routes in that order. Palpable 7-day-old Meth A sarcoma was completely regressed in some mice given rHu-IL1 alpha itu once at doses of 10-30 micrograms/mouse (cured ratio; 71-100%), once a day for 3 days at doses of 3-30 micrograms/mouse (57-86%) or once a day for 7 days at doses of 1-10 micrograms/mouse (14-100%). Palpable 7-day-old B16 melanoma was also regressed completely in some mice given seven itu doses of 10-30 micrograms/mouse (14-86%). One-day-old Meth A sarcoma was more sensitive to rHu-IL1 alpha than 7-day-old Meth A sarcoma. There was no macroscopic sign of inflammation at the site of injection of rHu-IL1 alpha. These results show that rHu-IL1 alpha has antitumor activity in vivo and is worthy of further study as a potential antitumor agent.     

Combination effect of recombinant human interleukin 1 alpha with antitumor drugs on syngeneic tumors in mice

To investigate the combination effects of recombinant human interleukin 1 alpha (rHu IL-1 alpha) and antitumor drugs, groups of 7 mice bearing syngeneic tumors (Meth A sarcoma in BALB/c mice and colon 26 adenocarcinoma in BALB/c x DBA/2 F1 mice) were treated i.v. with the antitumor drugs according to the early (once daily on days 1, 4, 7, 10, and 13) and/or late (once daily on days 7, 10, 13, 16, and 19) medication schedules in combination with rHu IL-1 alpha administered i.m. at various timings (1 day before, concurrently with, and 1 day after every drug administration). Inhibition rates of the antitumor drugs (mitomycin C, doxorubicin, cisplatin, cyclophosphamide, and 5-fluorouracil) for both the murine tumors were more or less raised by coadministration of rHu IL-1 alpha irrespective of medication schedules and combination timings. After both early and late treatments with the optimal combinations of rHu IL-1 alpha (0.1-3 micrograms/mouse) and cisplatin (2-4 mg/kg) and by the late treatment with the optimal combinations of rHu IL-1 alpha (0.3-3 micrograms/mouse) and carboplatin (32 mg/kg) or thiotepa (4 mg/kg), many mice were completely cured of colon 26 adenocarcinoma and survived for more than 90 days. Combined use of rHu IL-1 alpha and antitumor drugs seems to be beneficial in antitumor chemotherapy.     

Phosphorus-31 magnetic resonance spectroscopy and blood perfusion of the RIF-1 tumor following X-irradiation

Phosphorus-31 magnetic resonance spectra were obtained from the RIF-1 tumor in C3H mice before and up to 2 days after various doses of X rays. Parallel studies were performed to measure relative changes in tumor blood perfusion using [14C]iodo-antipyrine and changes in % tumor necrosis using Chalkley's method. Tumor ratios of phosphocreatine to inorganic phosphate (PCr/Pi) and nucleotide triphosphates to inorganic phosphate (NTP/Pi) as well as pH as measured by 31P-MRS increased significantly at most time points after irradiation with doses of 5, 10, and 20 Gy. Tumor blood perfusion was found to significantly improve after a dose of 20 Gy but not after a dose of 2 Gy. Percent tumor necrosis increased to about 3 times its control level at 1 day after a dose of 20 Gy and then declined to about twice its control value at 2 days. The magnitude of the changes in the 31P-MRS parameters makes it unlikely that any of them are entirely due to radiation-induced changes in the radiobiologically hypoxic fraction of these tumors. Changes in the necrotic fraction did not appear to influence the tumor spectra. However, the observed improvement in tumor blood perfusion may have resulted in an increase in oxidative phosphorylation of the whole tumor population as well as a clearance of inorganic phosphate and acid metabolites, so that 31P-MRS changes may indirectly reflect changes in tumor blood perfusion.     

Effects of hydralazine-induced vasodilation on the energy metabolism of murine tumors studied by in vivo 31P-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

The effects of hydralazine on tumor energy metabolism and on some cardiovascular parameters were measured. Tumor energy metabolism was studied in C3Hf/Sed mice with isotransplants of a spontaneous murine fibrosarcoma (FSaII, congruent to 100 mm3 in volume) and 31P-NMR. Cardiovascular parameters were measured in anesthetized C3Hf/Sed mice via intracarotid catheter. Hydralazine doses of 0.25 mg/kg given ip caused an increase of the phosphocreatine to inorganic phosphate ratio (PCr: Pi) in 5 of 6 animals. These doses had minimal effects on mean arterial blood pressure, though there may have been an increased cardiac output due to a decreased afterload. Hydralazine doses greater than or equal to 2.0 mg/kg given ip were associated with a decrease in PCr, nucleotide triphosphate, and pH, and an increase in Pi (P less than .01 for control vs. 10 mg hydralazine/kg). This substantial decrease in high-energy phosphates was associated with a pronounced decrement in mean arterial blood pressure. These findings provide a rational basis for the study in experimental systems of hydralazine-induced enhancement of cell killing by hyperthermia and by agents toxic to hypoxic cells. Further, these results can be taken as a sign that hydralazine should be used with care in patients undergoing radiation treatment.     

19F magnetic resonance spectroscopy studies of the metabolism of 5-fluorouracil in murine RIF-1 tumors and liver

The metabolism of 5-fluorouracil (5FU) in tumors and livers of RIF-1 tumor-bearing C3H mice given i.p. injections of 5FU was serially monitored by 19F magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The levels of 5FU and fluoronucleotide detected in the tumors after a dose of 130 mg/kg (n = 13) were less than one-third of those after 260-mg/kg 5FU (n = 14). During the days after these doses, tumor size decreased by 24 +/- 3 and 52 +/- 6 SEM%, respectively. A second 130-mg/kg dose, given at day 7 after the first 130-mg/kg dose, resulted in still lower tumor fluorine levels and little change in tumor size. There was a significant correlation between the magnetic resonance spectroscopy-detected fluoronucleotide levels and the shrinkage of tumors after the 260-mg/kg dose (r = 0.44; P = 0.024). In mouse liver, the degradation of 5FU to alpha-fluoro-beta-ureidoprobionic acid and alpha-fluoro-beta-alanine after the 260-mg dose (n = 13) was slower than after a dose of 130 mg/kg (n = 14). For the respective doses, the half-life of 5FU was 59 +/- 7 versus 28 +/- 2 SEM min (P less than 0.0001). There was a negative correlation between the levels of 5FU catabolite (alpha-fluoro-beta-ureidoprobionic acid and alpha-fluoro-beta-alanine) in liver and fluoronucleotide in tumor (r = -0.80; P = 0.0020), which indicates that the degradation in liver and the activation of 5FU in tumor are competing processes.     

Estimations of intra- and extracellular volume and pH by 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy: effect of therapy on RIF-1 tumours.

Quantification of metabolite or drug concentrations in living tissues requires determination of intra- and extracellular volumes. This study demonstrates how this can be achieved non-invasively by 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) employing dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP) as a marker of total water space, 3-aminopropylphosphonate (3-APP) as a marker of extracellular space and P and 3-APP as markers of intracellular pH (pH) and extracellular pH (pHe) respectively. The MRS measurements of the tumour volumes were validated by classic radiolabelling methods using 3H2O and [14C]inulin as markers of total and extracellular space respectively. The extracellular volume fraction measured by radiolabelling of RIF-1 tumours was 23 +/- 0.83% (mean +/- s.e.m. n = 9), not significantly different (P > 0.1) from that found by MRS (27 +/- 2.9%, n = 9, London, and 35 +/- 6.7, n = 14, Baltimore). In untreated RIF-1 tumours, pH was about 0.2 units higher than pHe (P < 0.01). 5-Fluorouracil (5FU) treatment (165 mg kg(-1)) caused no significant changes in either pHe or per cent extracellular volume. However significant increases in pH, 48 h after treatment (P < 0.01) correlated with decreased tumour size and improved bioenergetic status [NTP/inorganic phosphate (Pi) ratio]. This study shows the feasibility of an MR method (verified by a ''gold standard'') for studying the effects of drug treatment on intra- and extracellular spaces and pH in solid tumours in vivo.     

Loss of high-energy phosphate following hyperthermia demonstrated by in vivo 31P-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

We have used in vivo 31P-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to study the changes in high-energy phosphates following hyperthermia. Immediately after heating, there is a fall in adenosine triphosphate and apparent intracellular pH and an increase in inorganic phosphate. Following sublethal heating (40 degrees for 15 min), these changes were partial, and they resolved over the subsequent 45 hr. With tumors given severe hyperthermia (47 degrees for 15 min), there was complete disappearance of adenosine triphosphate, with no recovery by 24 hr posttreatment. Qualitatively similar effects were seen after heating of normal leg muscle. The degree of fall of the adenosine triphosphate/inorganic phosphate concentration ratio was directly proportional to the heat dose and to thermal cell kill. 31P-Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy may be useful in thermal dosimetry and treatment evaluation following hyperthermia.     

31P-nuclear magnetic resonance analysis of interferon-induced alterations of phospholipid metabolites in interferon-sensitive and interferon-resistant Friend leukemia cell tumors in mice

Adult DBA/2 mice were given injections s.c. with either interferon-sensitive (745) or -resistant (3Cl-8) Friend erythroleukemia cells (FLC). After tumor nodules had developed, mouse interferon-alpha/beta was injected daily into the tumor. 31P-Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy examinations were undertaken on freshly dissected tumors at different days of treatment with either interferon or control preparations. Analysis of 745 FLC tumors in untreated mice at different days of tumor growth (day 8 to 13 after tumor implantation) showed marked increases in the levels of phosphorylcholine (PCho), glycerophosphorylethanolamine (GroPEtn) and glycerophosphorylcholine (GroPCho). In contrast high levels of PCho, GroPEtn and GroPCho were already detectable in the 3Cl-8 FLC tumors on day 8, and no significant changes were observed during subsequent tumor growth. The intracellular pH value remained practically constant in both FLC tumors. Daily intratumoral administration of either partially purified (10(7) IU/mg of protein) or highly purified (10(9) IU/mg of protein) mouse interferon-alpha/beta to both cell tumors resulted in decreases in the levels of PCho, GroPEtn and GroPCho and in increases in the intracellular pH with respect to tumors treated with control preparations or left untreated. Two days of daily treatment of mice with interferon sufficed to induce these metabolic changes which preceded the appearance of necrosis in the tumors. Treatment of FLC tumors with X-rays on day 12 of tumor growth did not result in any comparable metabolic changes 2 days after irradiation. Changes in the levels of phospholipid metabolites were not observed when 745 or 3Cl-8 cells were cultivated in the presence of interferon. As interferon induced these changes in both interferon-sensitive and -resistant tumors we conclude that interferon treatment results in host-mediated effects on the biosynthesis and/or catabolism of tumor cell phospholipids.     

31P-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy in vivo of six human melanoma xenograft lines: tumour bioenergetic status and blood supply.

Six human melanoma xenograft lines grown s.c. in BALB/c-nu/nu mice were subjected to 31P-nuclear magnetic resonance (31P-NMR) spectroscopy in vivo. The following resonances were detected: phosphomonoesters (PME), inorganic phosphate (Pi), phosphodiesters (PDE), phosphocreatine (PCr) and nucleoside triphosphate gamma, alpha and beta (NTP gamma, alpha and beta). The main purpose of the work was to search for possible relationships between 31P-NMR resonance ratios and tumour pH on the one hand and blood supply per viable tumour cell on the other. The latter parameter was measured by using the 86Rb uptake method. Tumour bioenergetic status [the (PCr + NTP beta)/Pi resonance ratio], tumour pH and blood supply per viable tumour cell decreased with increasing tumour volume for five of the six xenograft lines. The decrease in tumour bioenergetic status was due to a decrease in the (PCr + NTP beta)/total resonance ratio as well as an increase in the Pi/total resonance ratio. The decrease in the (PCr + NTP beta)/total resonance ratio was mainly a consequence of a decrease in the PCr/total resonance ratio for two lines and mainly a consequence of a decrease in the NTP beta/total resonance ratio for three lines. The magnitude of the decrease in the (PCr + NTP beta)/total resonance ratio and the magnitude of the decrease in tumour pH were correlated to the magnitude of the decrease in blood supply per viable tumour cell. Tumour pH decreased with decreasing tumour bioenergetic status, and the magnitude of this decrease was larger for the tumour lines showing a high than for those showing a low blood supply per viable tumour cell. No correlations across the tumour lines were found between tumour pH and tumour bioenergetic status or any other resonance ratio on the one hand and blood supply per viable tumour cell on the other. The differences in the 31P-NMR spectrum between the tumour lines were probably caused by differences in the intrinsic biochemical properties of the tumour cells rather than by the differences in blood supply per viable tumour cell. Biochemical properties of particular importance included rate of respiration, glycolytic capacity and tolerance to hypoxic stress. On the other hand, tumour bioenergetic status and tumour pH were correlated to blood supply per viable tumour cell within individual tumour lines. These observations suggest that 31P-NMR spectroscopy may be developed to be a clinically useful method for monitoring tumour blood supply and parameters related to tumour blood supply during and after physiological intervention and tumour treatment. However, clinically useful parameters for prediction of tumour treatment resistance caused by insufficient blood supply can probably not be derived from a single 31P-NMR spectrum since correlations across tumour lines were not detected; additional information is needed.     

Dietary fat modulation of murine mammary tumor metabolism studied by in vivo 31P-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

The effect of dietary fat concentration and saturation on high energy phosphate metabolites and phospholipid turnover in transplanted line 168 murine mammary tumors was studied using surface coil 31P-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Female BALB/c mice were fed one of five diets each containing at least the minimum of essential fatty acids (EFA). Four diets contained additional safflower or palm oil for a total fat concentration of 5 or 20% by weight. The growth rate of tumors from mice fed the high safflower oil diet was significantly greater than the growth rate of tumors for mice fed all other diets including the one which contained the minimal EFA. 31P-nuclear magnetic resonance-observable phosphate metabolite ratios. ATP/Pi, ATP/phosphomonoester (ATP/PME), and PME/Pi, and tumor pH of line 168 tumors decreased with increasing tumor volume, indicating a shift from active to inactive tumor metabolism. The rates of those decreases with progressive tumor growth differed significantly among tumors of mice fed the different diets. Decreases in ATP/Pi, ATP/PME, and pH were the most rapid in the tumors of mice fed the high safflower oil diet and significantly faster than tumors of mice fed the diet containing minimum EFA. In addition, the decrease in the PME/Pi ratio of tumors was significantly greater in mice fed the high fat (high palm oil and high safflower oil) diets than mice fed the diet containing the minimum of EFA. The rate of decline of ATP/Pi and ATP/PME with progressive tumor growth was directly correlated with levels of linoleic acid as well as total unsaturated fat. High levels of a polyunsaturated fat had a significant effect on mammary tumor metabolism particularly during early stages of tumor growth. Differences in high energy phosphate metabolite dynamics relative to dietary fat were present in tumors of equal volume. Thus, dietary fat influences on mammary tumorigenesis may be related to high energy phosphate metabolites.     

Quantitative T1rho magnetic resonance imaging of RIF-1 tumors in vivo: detection of early response to cyclophosphamide therapy.

This study compares two potential magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) indices for noninvasive early detection of tumor response to chemotherapy: the spin-lattice relaxation in the rotating frame (T1rho) and the transverse relaxation time (T2). Measurements of these relaxation parameters were performed on a s.c. murine radiation-induced fibrosarcoma (RIF-1) model before and after cyclophosphamide treatment. The number of pixels exhibiting T1rho values longer than controls in viable regions of the tumor increased significantly as early as 18 h after drug administration and remained elevated up to 36 h after treatment (P < 0.005). Although a trend of increasing T2s relative to controls was noted in viable regions of the tumor 36 h after treatment, the changes were not statistically significant. Histological examination indicated a decrease in mitotic index that paralleled the changes in T1rho. We conclude that T1rho measurements may be useful for noninvasive monitoring of early response of tumors to chemotherapy.     

In vivo 31P-nuclear magnetic resonance study of the response of a murine mammary tumor to different doses of gamma-radiation

The response of the s.c. implanted murine mammary carcinoma NU-82 to 10 and 20 Gy of gamma-radiation was followed by in vivo 31P-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy on 48 mice during a period of 2 days. During the first 8 h after a dose of 10 Gy, the ratio of ATP/inorganic phosphate increases to a value of 120 +/- 15% (SE) of the control value. This rise is followed by a decrease of the ratio to 74 +/- 12% after 47 h. However treatment with 20 Gy causes the ratio of ATP/Pi to decrease gradually to a level of 45 +/- 7% after 47 h. Histological investigations demonstrated that radiation-induced necrosis largely contributes to this phenomenon. During the time of observation irradiated tumors displayed no changes in size and intracellular pH. After treatment with 10 Gy as well as with 20 Gy, the phosphodiester resonance decreased in intensity. By 31P-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy on extracts of the NU-82 tumor, two phosphodiesters were identified, glycerophosphocholine and glycerophosphoethanolamine.     

Characterization of the 31P nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum from human melanoma tumors implanted in nude mice

31P nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of human melanoma (BRO) cells implanted in nude mice were obtained both in vitro and in vivo. The tumors were allowed to grow in the right axillary region of six adult Swiss nude mice to a transverse diameter of 1.5-2 cm, at which point the in vivo 31P nuclear magnetic resonance spectra were obtained. The animals were subsequently sacrificed and the tumor perchloric acid extract was studied in vitro. Relative peak areas are comparable in the two experiments with the exception of inorganic phosphate, which is more abundant in vivo than in vitro by a factor of 4. This difference may be attributed to a greater contribution of the necrotic portion of the tumor to the in vivo spectra. Resonance peaks in the spectrum of the extract were identified on the basis of their coincidence with standards added at pH 7 and 10. Non-energy phosphorylated metabolites present in the tumor at high levels include phosphoethanolamine, phosphocholine, glycerol phosphocholine, and uridine-5'-diphospho-N-acetyl glucosamine. Sugar phosphates and 2,3-diphosphoglycerate from blood made minor contributions to the spectrum. The tumor also contained substantial amounts of pyrimidine triphosphates accounting for 34% of the total nucleoside triphosphate pool.     

Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of tumor-bearing mice treated with human recombinant tumor necrosis factor alpha

Pharmacological effects of recombinant human tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF) were studied in a mouse fibrosarcoma model using magnetic resonance imaging enhanced with a macromolecular contrast agent, albumin(gadolinium-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid)35. TNF was administered i.v. in a dose of 150 micrograms/kg, 60 to 80 min prior to imaging. Contrast-enhanced and nonenhanced magnetic resonance images of TNF-treated (n = 10) and untreated (n = 8) Meth A fibrosarcomas were obtained at 2.0 Tesla using T1-weighted spin-echo pulse sequences. Serial images spanning an interval of 60 to 120 min after TNF administration showed that the TNF-treated tumors enhanced significantly more overall than did untreated tumors (43% versus 31%). The most marked differential tumor enhancement was observed in the tumor rim (59% versus 40%). Nontumorous tissue, including muscle and brain, revealed no significant enhancement differences between TNF-treated animals and controls. The observed tumor enhancement corresponded strongly with Evans blue staining; the TNF-treated tumors stained deep blue, while untreated tumors and normal tissues observed did not stain. The different enhancement and Evans blue staining patterns between TNF-treated tumors and untreated tumors are attributed to TNF-induced changes in tumor capillary integrity. The data indicate that TNF effects on tumors include an increased capillary permeability for macromolecules at early times after administration. The ability to detect changes in capillary permeability in vivo using contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging may prove to be clinically useful to monitor tumor response to TNF.     

The effect of adrenalectomy and dexamethasone on interleukin-1 alpha induced responses in RIF-1 tumours

In the present studies the effect of bilateral adrenalectomy on the pathophysiologic responses to recombinant human interleukin-1 alpha (rHIL-1 alpha) was determined in RIF-1 tumour models. Acute vascular injury and haemorrhagic responses were quantitated by the intra-tumour accumulation of 59Fe radiolabelled erythrocytes. In vivo clonogenic tumour cell kill was determined by an excision assay. A single, intraperitoneal rHIL-1 alpha treatment (6.25 x 10(7) D10 units kg-1, 25 micrograms kg-1) resulted in acute tumour haemorrhage and approximately 55% clonogenic tumour cell kill (24 h). Bilateral adrenalectomy, 24 h before rHIL-1 alpha, significantly increased haemorrhagic responses, but haemodynamic toxicity was severe. This toxicity could be ameliorated by giving dexamethasone (5 mg kg-1) before or up to 3 h after rHIL-1 alpha. The effect of dexamethasone on rHIL-1 alpha induced tumour responses in adrenalectomised mice was sequence dependent. Given before rHIL-1 alpha, dexamethasone inhibited tumour haemorrhage. When dexamethasone was given up to 3 h after rHIL-1 alpha, tumour haemorrhage was directly related to sequence interval. Although adrenalectomy and dexamethasone alone had little effect on RIF-1 tumours, adrenalectomy increased rHIL-1 alpha mediated clonogenic tumour cell kill. The surviving fraction 24 h after rHIL-1 alpha (6.25 x 10(7) D10 units kg-1, 25 micrograms kg-1) and dexamethasone (5 mg kg-1, 2 h after rHIL-1 alpha) was 1.3 +/- 0.4%. The surviving fraction after this combination in intact mice (36.7 +/- 1.4%) was approximately 30-fold higher than that seen in adrenalectomised mice. The results indicate that adrenal responses secondary to rHIL-1 alpha treatment exert a negative feedback on rHIL-1 alpha mediated responses in solid tumours.     

31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy of human colon cancer

Phosphatic metabolite profiles of 19 malignant and normal human colon specimens were analyzed by techniques of perchloric acid extraction and 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy at 202.4 MHz. Thirty-one individual phosphorus-containing intermediates of metabolism were identified and quantified for statistical intergroup comparisons. Elevations in relative concentrations of phosphorylethanolamine, IMP, NADP 2'-P, an uncharacterized resonance at 3.72 delta, glycerol 3-phosphorylcholine, phosphorylated glycans and the nucleoside diphosphosugars were seen in malignant tissues concurrently with reductions in relative concentrations of phosphorylcholine, phosphocreatine (PCr), and ATP. The malignant and normal tissue groups were further characterized and contrasted by computing metabolic indices from spectral data. Significant elevations in phosphomonoesters, glycerolphosphodiesters, the ratio of phosphorylethanolamine/phosphorylcholine, and phosphomonoesters/inorganic orthophosphate were detected in malignant tissues along with significant reductions in the ratios of PCr/inorganic orthophosphate, PCr/ATP, the energy charge of the adenylate system and the tissue energy modulus. These results revealed significant alterations in high energy metabolism, low energy metabolism, and membrane metabolism characteristic of malignant tissues. The reduction in high energy phosphates ATP and PCr was balanced by the net increase in nucleoside diphosphosugar and a shift in equilibrium to metabolism involving low energy phosphomonoesters. The spectral data of the tumors, which were of epithelial origin, demonstrated minor metabolites not previously detected in tissue extract analysis of malignant tissues. Detection of these minor metabolites represents an indirect measurement of phospholipid metabolism in malignant tissues.     

Effect of cyclophosphamide on the pathophysiology of RIF-1 solid tumors

The present experiments were conducted to determine the effects of cyclophosphamide (150 mg/kg) on the pathophysiology of RIF-1 solid tumors and to determine the temporal relationship between treatment mediated changes in tumor vascular physiology, cell proliferation, and chemoresponsiveness in vivo. Capillary permeability and plasma and extracellular water volumes were determined by a 125I-bovine serum albumin, 51Cr-EDTA double isotope dilution assay at various intervals after cyclophosphamide. Tumor blood flow and exchangeable erythrocyte vascular volumes were determined by 86RbCl distribution and 51Cr-labeled erythrocyte dilution methods. Cell proliferation in RIF-1 tumors, assessed by [3H]thymidine labeling index and tumor growth fraction (primer-dependent DNA polymerase labeling assay) measurements, was inhibited for up to 3 days by cyclophosphamide. Although tumor regrowth was not apparent until Day 10, cell kinetic studies indicated proliferative recovery in the surviving cell population on Days 4 and 5 after treatment. Increases in tumor blood flow and tumor vascular volumes were temporally coincident with this proliferative response. In split-dose experiments, the time-dependent increases in the chemoresponsiveness of RIF-1 tumors, after cyclophosphamide, may be due not only to the increased proliferation of repopulating cells, but also to vascular responses attendant with cytoreduction.