The effect of alkylating agents and other drugs on the accumulation of melphalan by murine L1210 leukaemia cells in vitro

The effect of cytotoxic and other drugs on the accumulation of melphalan by L1210 murine leukaemia cells was studied. We have confirmed that uptake is an active process competitively inhibited by l-leucine. In 36 experiments in amino acid-free medium the mean concentration of melphalan taken up was 225 pmoles/10⁶ cells. High pressure liquid Chromatographie analysis showed that the majority of the drug is present as free native melphalan. 1, 3-Bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU) was the only drug that stimulated accumulation, but without significant effect on influx or efflux rates. Busulphan, chlorambucil, cyclophosphamide, interferon, methotrexate and prednisolone had no effect on accumulation after 30 min melphalan transport. Adriamycin, CCNU, methyl CCNU, mustine and vincristine all impaired melphalan accumulation as did the non-cytotoxic drugs aminophylline, chlorpromazine and ouabain. Adriamycin, aminophylline, chloropromazine, indomethacin and ouabain all reduced melphalan influx.     

In vitro transformation of hamster embryo cells by quercetin

In vitro carcinogenic activities of bracken extract and two flavone derivatives, kaempferol and quercetin were examined in a transformation assay with cryopreserved hamster embryo cells. Bracken extract and kaempferol did not induce transformation. But quercetin induced morphological transformation of the cells at the concentration of 5 and 10 .     

In vitro transformation of hamster embryo cells by betel tobacco extracts

In vitro carcinogenicity of betel tobacco extracts was examined in a transformation assay with cryopreserved hamster embryo cells. The ethanol extract induced a transformed colony at 100 $\text{μg}\text{ml}$ and the ethyl acetate extract induced 2 transformed colonies at $\text{5}\text{μg}\text{ml}$ and 2 at 100 $\text{μg}\text{ml}$.     

Inhibition of chemical transformation of hamster embryo cells by retinoids

13-cis-Retinoic acid, trans-retinoic acid, 13-cis-retinal, trans-Tetinal and trans-retinol inhibited morphological transformation of hamster embryo cells induced by N-butyl-N-acetoxymethylnitrosamine (BAMN). Addition of 13-cis-retinoic acid after 24-h treatment with N-butyl-N-acetoxymethylnitrosamine also inhibited induction of transformation, suggesting that retinoids inhibited the progressive stage of transformation. The five retinoids tested all altered the orientation of the cells and enhanced density dependent inhibition. Hamster embryo cells treated with 13-cis-retinoic acid could be stained with periodic acid-Schiff base staining, while untreated cells could not.     

Nitrosourea-induced DNA single-strand breaks.

Reaction of DNA with nitrosoureas in vitro results in extensive formation of alkali labile sites. Two types of single-strand scission (SSS) processes may be distinguished by their different rates: (1) type I SSS which occurs relatively fast at high pH, and (2) type II SSS which is a much slower process. Neither of these processes is affected by free radical traps. Dimethyl sulfate, which is known to alkylate DNA bases but not phosphate residues, shows no type I SSS but does show extensive type II SSS. That the latter process involves alkylation of bases followed by the formation of apurinic sites was confirmed by using endonuclease VI, an enzyme specific for apurinic positions. Reactions of chloroethylnitrosoureas with DNA produces both type I and type II SSS. Aliphatic amines produced in the decomposition of alkyl nitrosoureas do not contribute significantly to the scission of apurinic sites via Schiff base formation. However, this process may be significant for aryl nitrosoureas. Ethyl nitrosourea (ENU), 1, 3-bis(2-chloroethyl)nitrosourea (BCNU), and 3-cyclohexyl-1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-nitrosourea (CHNU) readily degrade poly A by phosphate alkylation, with rates that parallel their relative rates of decomposition. The relative rates of hydrolysis of triethylphosphate and β-hydroxyethyl diethyl phosphate parallel the type I SSS observed for ENU and CHNU with DNA. The type I SSS of DNA by these compounds appears to involve a similar phosphotriester formation and hydrolysis. The type I SSS is in accord with the observed extreme liability of β-hydroxyethyl diethyl phosphate which is attributed to participation of the OH group, and by the fact that methylation of the OH completely inhibits the type I SSS process.     

Correlation of nitrosourea murine bone marrow toxicity with deoxyribonucleic acid alkylation and chromatin binding sites

All of the clinically available nitrosourea antitumor agents produce serious treatment-limiting bone marrow toxicity. A reduction in this toxicity can be achieved by attaching the chloroethylnitrosourea cytotoxic group to C2 (chlorozotocin) or C1 (1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-(β-d-glucopyranosyl)-1-nitrosourea, GANU) of glucose. Both glucose analogs are less myelotoxic in mice than 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-cyclohepyl-1-nitrosourea (CCNU) or 1-(4-amino-2-methylpyrimidin-5-yl)methyl-3-(2-chloroethyl)-3-nitrosourea (ACNU), while retaining comparable antitumor activity against the murine L121o leukemia. To define the nuclear mechanisms for this reduced myelotoxicity, alkylation of L1210 and murine bone marrow DNA was quantitated. With the use of the endonucleases micrococcal nuclease and DNase I, the sites of alkylation within the chromatin substructure were determined. Experiments were performed on L1210 leukemia or bone marrow cells that had been incubated in vitro for 2 hr with 0.1 mM [¹⁴C]chloroethyl drug. The quantitative alkylation of DNA by GANU was 1.3-fold greater in L1210, as compared to bone marrow, cells. This ratio of DNA alkylation is comparable to the 1.3 ratio we previously reported for chlorozotocin [L. C. Panasci, D. Green and P. S. Schein, J. clin. Invest.64, 1103 (1979)]. In contrast, the ratio of alkylation (L1210: bone marrow DNA) for the myelotoxic ACNU was 0.66, similar to 0.59 for CCNU. Nuclease digestion experiments demonstrated that chlorozotocin and GANU preferentially alkylated internucleosomal linker regions of bone marrow chromatin, while nucleosome core particles were the preferred targets of CCNU and ACNU. The reduced myelotoxicity of chlorozotocin and GANU may be correlated with the advantageous ratio of L1210: bone marrow DNA alkylation and preferential alkylation of internucleosomal regions of bone marrow chromatin.     

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.     

Mechanism of action of 2-haloethylnitrosoureas on deoxyribonucleic acid. Nature of the intermediates from nitrosourea decomposition.

Direct current (DC) and differential pulse polarographic analyses were used to measure the rates of decomposition of a series of 2-haloethylnitrosoureas in aqueous solution. Measured by these methods, the rates of the first and rate-determining step which show a marked pH and solvent dependence agree with the overall rate of decomposition measured by gas evolution. In the 1,3-bis(haloethyl)-1-nitrosourea series, changing the nature of the halogen X has a small effect on the rate of decomposition. In the 3-cyclohexyl-1-(2-haloethyl)-1-nitrosourea series, changing X for OH or OCH₃ results in the rate of hydrolysis being reduced considerably. A free—NH₂ group in the nitrosourea structure as in CNU, MNU, ENU, CPNU, 4-CBNU and 5-CPNU accelerates considerably the rate of decomposition relative to the BCNU and CCNU series. Arrhenius parameters for the decomposition in aqueous pH 7.1 solution in the temperature range 28–47° were obtained for BFNU, BCNU and BBNU: log A, ?20.1± 1.4,?21.6± 0.7 and ?22.3±1.6; E_a, 24.4 ± 2.0, 26.5± 1.0 and 27.2 m 2.3 kcal/mole. The corresponding values for BINU were estimated as log A,?23.3± 3.0; E_a, 28.0± 3.0 kcal/mole. Examination of the decomposition products of 1,3-bis(2-chloropropyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU-β-Me) and 1,3-bisl 1-(chloromethyl)ethyl]-1-nitrosourea (BCNU-α-Me) favors decomposition pathway B via the diazohydroxide and cyclic chloronium ion for BCNU-β-Me and via the diazohydroxide and/or 2-chloro-1-methylethyl carbonium ion for BCNU-α-Me. While there is no evidence for the contribution of pathway A via a 2-imino-N-nitrosooxazolidinone for these compounds, consideration of product type and yields implicates a third decomposition pathway, via a 1,2,3-oxadiazoline intermediate. Additional evidence for an oxadiazoline intermediate is obtained by the isolation of 2-bromoethanol when BCNU is decomposed in the presence of a high concentration of sodium bromide.     

Transformation of hamster embryo cells by neutral sterols and bile acids

Toxicity and cell transformation of Syrian hamster embryo cells in culture by certain neutral sterols and bile acids show interesting trends related to their structures: cholesterol-α-epoxide and cholestan-3β,5α,6β-triol were more toxic and induced transformation to these cells, whereas their metabolic precursor, cholesterol, was inactive. The secondary bile acids, lithocholic and deoxycholic acids, were more toxic than their primary bile acid precursors, cholic and chenodeoxycholic acids and transformed the cells. These data suggest that mammalian cell transformation is a useful short-term assay to measure the potential toxicity and carcinogenicity of steroid derivatives.     

In vitro transformation of hamster embryo cells with a glutamic acid pyrolysis product

The in vitro activity of the glutamic acid pyrolysis product 2-amino-6-methyl-dipyrido[l,2-a:3',2'-d]imidazole (Glu-P-1) was examined in a transformation assay with cryopreserved hamster embryo cells. Glu-P-1 was cytotoxic at a concentration of 50 μg/ml, but induced morphological transformation of the cells at concentrations of 10 μg/ml and 20 μg/ml. Glu-P-1 may be carcinogenic for experimental animals.     

Application of lipid microspheres for the treatment of cancer

Lipid microspheres can act as a carrier for antitumor agents. We incorporated a lipophilic antitumor agent, l,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU) into microspheres by homogenizing a soybean oil solution of BCNU with egg yolk lecithin. Lipid microsphere-encapsulated BCNU showed a significantly enhanced antitumor activity with reduced toxicity in mice with L1210 leukemia when compared to the corresponding dose of free BCNU. Lipid nanospheres, smaller particles containing BCNU with an average size of 50 nm, also showed a similar level of in vivo antitumor activity. An in vitro study showed that [¹⁴C]triolein uptake by tumor cells was increased by incorporation into microspheres. The in vitro uptake of small microspheres was lower than that of standard microspheres. However, the in vivo half-life of small microspheres was longer, they avoided capture by the reticuloendothelial system and showed higher accumulation at tumor sites. Thus, lipid microspheres may be useful for delivering various lipophilic chemotherapy agents.     

Morphological cell transformation of Syrian hamster embryo (SHE) cells by the cyanotoxin, cylindrospermopsin

Cylindrospermopsin (CYN) is a cyanotoxin which has been implicated in human intoxication and animal mortality. Genotoxic activity of this hepatotoxin is known but its carcinogenic activity remains to be elucidated. In this work, CYN was assessed for its cell-transforming activity using the Syrian hamster embryo (SHE) cell transformation assay. This in vitro assay is used to evaluate the carcinogenic potential of chemical, physical and biological agents in SHE cells, which are primary, normal, diploid, genetically stable and capable of metabolic activation. We demonstrated that CYN induced a significant increase in morphological cell transformation in SHE cells following a 7-day continuous treatment in the range of non-cytotoxic concentrations 1 × 10⁻⁷-1 × 10⁻² ng/mL.     

Qualitative and quantitative studies on impurities in G004, a potential hypoglycaemic agent, using liquid chromatography, nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometry

G004, 1-(4-(2-(4-bromobenzenesulphonamino) ethyl) phenylsuphonyl)-3-(trans-4-methylcyclohexyl) urea, is being developed as a potential hypoglycaemic agent. In this study, the related compounds in the bulk drug substance of G004 were analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively. An unknown compound in the drug, which has never been reported, was isolated using preparative liquid chromatography and characterized as 1-(4-(2-(2-bromobenzenesulphonamino) ethyl) phenylsuphonyl)-3-(trans-4-methylcyclohexyl) urea using nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometry. Moreover, a reversed-phase liquid chromatography method was developed for quantification of both the major impurities and the main constituent. The proposed method was validated and applied during impurity studies and quality control analysis of the bulk drug and laboratory-prepared samples of G004.     

Antitumour imidazotetrazines--IV. An investigation into the mechanism of antitumour activity of a novel and potent antitumour agent, mitozolomide (CCRG 81010, M & B 39565; NSC 353451)

8-Carbamoyl-3-(2-chloroethyl)imidazo[5,1-d]-1,2,3,5-tetrazin-4-(3H )-one- mitozolomide (CCRG 81010, M & B 39565, NSC 353451) is a potent inhibitor of the growth of a number of experimental tumours and can potentially decompose to give either an isocyanate or the monochloroethyltriazene (MCTIC). In vitro CCRG 81010 is not cross-resistant with the bifunctional alkylating agents against the Walker carcinoma. To investigate the mechanism of the antitumour activity of CCRG 81010 a comparison has been made with BCNU and MCTIC on precursor incorporation into macromolecules in TLX5 mouse lymphoma cells. Whereas BCNU produces a rapid and extensive inhibition of both (methyl 3H) thymidine and [5-3H]uridine incorporation into acid-insoluble material, neither CCRG 81010 or MCTIC have an early effect on precursor incorporation. Inhibition of precursor uptake is also not produced by concentrations of 2-chloroethylisocyanate that inhibit intracellular glutathione reductase activity. The potential carbamoylating activity of CCRG 81010 has also been assessed by comparing its effect with that of BCNU and 2-chloroethyl isocyanate on enzymes known to be inhibited by carbamoylation. Such enzymes, glutathione reductase, chymotrypsin and gamma-glutamyltranspepidase are not inhibited by CCRG 81010 under conditions where BCNU and 2-chloroethyl isocyanate show complete inhibition of enzyme activity, suggesting an absence of carbamoylating species. The results suggest that the most likely antitumour metabonate produced from CCRG 81010 is the triazene MCTIC.     

烟草中甲基亚硝胺吡啶基丁酮诱发人支气管上皮细胞恶性转化的研究

目的研究吸烟致肺癌过程中人类支气管上皮细胞恶变机制,探索一种较快捷的体外研究吸烟致肺癌的途径。方法采用细胞毒性实验确定亚硝胺吡啶基丁酮(NNK)水溶液转化剂量为600μg/ml,应用NNK多次染毒法对人支气管上皮细胞系(16HBE)进行转化,对转化组织和细胞分别进行病理学检查和透射电镜与扫描电镜分析。结果16HBE细胞染毒至第23代,细胞呈恶性形态;可以在软琼脂上形成集落(锚着非依赖性实验为阳性);裸鼠成瘤实验为阳性。对裸鼠成瘤组织进行病理组织学检查,证实为低分化鳞状细胞癌,并取裸鼠成瘤组织原代培养细胞作扫描电镜和透射电镜检查,结果显示为瘤组织培养细胞具有恶性型肿瘤细胞的特征。结论NNK致16HBE细胞恶性转化能力较强,为深入研究人类支气管上皮细胞恶变机制提供了理想的生物模型。     

A structure--activity study of seven new water soluble nitrosoureas.

The in vitro alkylating activity, carbamoylating activity, decomposition rates and octanol-water partition coefficients (Log P) of seven water soluble chloroethylnitrosourea antitumor agents and a reference lipid soluble analog were correlated with their biological activities in mice. The alkylating activity of each compound demonstrated a significant inverse linear correlation with both the decomposition rate in 0.1 M sodium phosphate buffer. pH7.4 (r = -0.92,P< 0.01), and the molar ld₁₀ dose (r = 0.87, P< 0.01). A direct relationship was found between the Log P values and both the alkylating activity (r = -0.86. P< 0.01) and the molar ld₁₀ dose (r = 0.77, P< 0.025). However, the addition of the variable. Log P, in multiple regression analysis did not contribute significantly to any of the direct correlations of chemical parameters with biological variables. In comparison, carbamoylating activity did not function as an independent variable for the relative myelotoxicity or lethality of each compound. All water soluble drugs except for chlorozotocin and 1-(2 chloroethyl)-3-(β-d-glucopyranosyl)-1-nitrosourea, the two analogs with glucose carriers, produced a significant reduction in circulating neutrophils at their respective ld₁₀ doses. There was no correlation between relative myelotoxicity and alkylating activity, carbamoylating activity or Log P. The glucose moiety appears to function as an independent variable for reducing nitrosourea cytotoxicity to bone marrow cells without significantly altering antitumor activity.     

Phase II trial of PCNU in advanced malignant melanoma: an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group pilot study

Summary PCNU, a chloroethylnitrosourea with high alkylating activity, low carbamoylating activity, optimal octanol: water partition coefficient and broad activity in animal systems, was administered to 32 evaluable patients with measurable metastatic melanoma by brief intravenous infusions every six weeks. The initial dose was 75 or 100 mg/m², with escalation or reduction for toxicity, and a total of 58 evaluable courses were given. Half of the patient population had received no prior chemotherapy. One objective complete response (duration 585 days) and four objective partial responses (durations 55, 169, 405 and 102 days) occurred, the last recorded in a patient previously treated with DTIC. These responses included visceral, nodal and subcutaneous disease. The response rate was 16% with a 95% confidence interval of 5.5 to 33.7%. Thrombocytopenia was dose-limiting and leukopenia was relatively mild. Gastrointestinal toxicity was less severe than expected for a nitrosourea. PCNU has comparable clinical activity to that of other nitrosoureas in patients with advanced melanoma.     

Brain uptake and CNS levels of 1-(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitroso-3-(2-hydroxyethyl)urea (HECNU)

The uptake of ¹⁴C-labeled 1-(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitroso-3-(2-hydroxyethyl) urea (HECNU) into the brain was investigated in the rat after intracarotid injection according to the method of OLDENDORF, as well as in cisternal cerebrospinal fluid obtained by suboccipital puncture after i.v. injection of the drug.The brain uptake index was 31.9 ± 2.9%. Cerebrospinal fluid/blood quotients after i.v. injection were 0.82 at 10 min and 1.10 at 60 min. The results of both methods clearly show that HECNU, in spite of its hydrophilic property, easily penetrates the blood-brain barrier.     

O6-苄基鸟嘌呤增强1，3-二（2-氯乙基）-亚硝基脲对人肝癌细胞及其移植瘤的抗肿瘤作用

应用噻唑蓝（MTT）法检测O⁶-苄基鸟嘌呤(O⁶-BG)与1,3-二（2-氯乙基）-亚硝基脲（BCNU）合用的细胞毒作用及透射电镜检测凋亡细胞的方法研究了O⁶-BG对O⁶-烷基鸟嘌呤-DNA烷基转移酶（O⁶-AGT）阳性的人肝癌细胞SMMC-7721对BCNU细胞毒作用敏感性的影响及其与BCNU合用治疗移植瘤的协同效果. 结果显示：1.5-6.0 mg·L^-1的O⁶-BG预先作用2 h后,SMMC- 7721细胞对BCNU的敏感性明显增加;0.75-6.0 mg·L^-1的O⁶-BG可完全快速地抑制肿瘤细胞的AGT活性并持续12 h; ip 90 mg·kg^-1的O⁶-BG预处理2 h后给予25 mg·kg^-1的BCNU治疗,可使动物sc接种的人肝癌移植瘤生长延迟38.6 d, 诱导肿瘤细胞凋亡,并且可明显抑制肿瘤组织的转移酶活性. 说明O⁶-BG与BCNU合用于AGT阳性的肿瘤将具有明显的治疗效果.     

Potentiation of the effect of gemcitabine by emodin in pancreatic cancer is associated with survivin inhibition

Pancreatic cancer is one human malignancy which has chemoresistant behavior to gemcitabine treatment. In this study, we revealed that emodin, an active component from Chinese medicinal herbs, could enhance pancreatic cancer cells apoptosis induced by gemcitabine. Survivin, a member of the inhibitor of apoptosis gene family, is involved in control of cell division and inhibition of apoptosis and described as a β-catenin/Tcf/Lef target gene. Western blot and PCR analysis showed that emodin suppressed survivin expression in a dose- and time-dependent manner. We further demonstrated survivin expression could be up-regulated by gemcitabine. Surprisingly, survivin expression induced by gemcitabine could be inhibited in combination with emodin treatment. Moreover, cells treated with gemcitabine and emodin showed a preferential peri-plasmamembrane position of β-catenin, blocking the translocation of β-catenin to nucleus induced by gemcitabine. In addition to these in vitro results, we also found that emodin potentiates the antitumor effects of gemcitabine in vivo by down-regulating the expression of survivin and β-catenin. Taken together, these results suggest that emodin potentiates gemcitabine antitumor activity through suppression of survivin gene in pancreatic cancer.