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

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

Synthesis and biological activity of spergualin analogues. I

Stable spergualin analogues were synthesized by substitutions of the alpha-hydroxyglycine residue of spergualin with various alpha- or omega-amino acids. The antitumor activity of these analogues against L1210 and their immunosuppressive effects on delayed-type hypersensitivity and antibody formation was then examined. Analogues substituted with glycine and L-serine showed significant biological activity but were less potent than 15-deoxyspergualin. Among the analogues synthesized so far, 10-[N-4-(4-guanidinophenyl)butyryl-L-seryl]-1,5,10-triazadecane has possessed the strongest antitumor and immunosuppressive activities.     

Antitumor activity of spergualin, a novel antitumor antibiotic

Spergualin (SGL), a novel antitumor antibiotic, exhibited strong antitumor activity against transplantable leukemias in mice: L1210, L1210(IMC), P388, P815, C1498, EL-4 and RL male 1. It also exhibited antitumor activity against M5076 fibrosarcoma, AH66 and AH66F rat hepatomas, but not against Meth-A fibrosarcoma, B16 melanoma, Lewis lung carcinoma (LL) and C26 colon adenocarcinoma. The antitumor activity of SGL was administration-schedule dependent. The strongest activity against L1210 was obtained by ip continuous infusion for 7 days or daily ip administration for 9 days. Single ip injection of SGL at 100 mg/kg to mice caused convulsion and death within 15 minutes after injection. Such acute toxicity was not observed by continuous infusion. SGL showed its strongest activity at subtoxic dose against sensitive tumors except for L1210(IMC). Mice implanted ip with L1210(IMC) were cured by treatment with SGL at 3.13 mg/kg/day for 9 days, but died from the tumor at 50 mg/kg/day X 9. The cured mice rejected a second inoculation of up to 10(6) tumor cells. The tumor cells isolated from mice after treatment with the high dose showed resistance to SGL in vivo. Mice implanted sc with L1210(IMC) were also cured by 9 daily ip administrations of SGL at 12.5 mg/kg/day, but solid tumor was observed at the implantation site until 3 days after the final injection of SGL in some cured mice. These results suggest that the therapeutic effect of SGL has a relatively high specificity for leukemias and that the immunological effect is involved in the antitumor activity.     

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

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

Antitumor activities of (2"R)-4'-O-tetrahydropyranyl-adriamycin (THP) and its combination with other antitumor agents on murine tumors

(2'R)-4'-O-Tetrahydropyranyladriamycin (THP) is a new derivative of doxorubicin (adriamycin, ADM). The concentrations of THP and ADM required to inhibit by 50% the growth of a cultured L1210 cells was 0.003 microgram/ml and 0.016 microgram/ml, respectively. Various therapeutic designs of combinations of THP with other antitumor agents were investigated in vivo using the L1210 murine leukemia. The combination of THP with cytosine arabinoside (Ara-C), cyclocytidine hydrochloride (Cyclo-C), 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) and cyclophosphamide (EX) showed a great effectiveness following daily intraperitoneal treatment from days 1 to 10. High therapeutic effects were also obtained with the combinations of THP with Ara-C, Cyclo-C, vincristine (VCR) and EX following intravenous combination therapy one day following implantation of L1210 leukemia. Schedule dependency and its therapeutic efficacy of THP were examined. THP showed almost the same antitumor activity on the solid-type sarcoma-180 or solid-type Ehrlich carcinoma as ADM by intraperitoneal or intravenous treatment. THP showed some superior activity to ADM in the advanced stage of L1210 leukemia. High antitumor activity of THP on murine leukemia L1210 has been reported by Tsuruo et al. (Cancer Res. 42: 1462-1467, 1982) and was also confirmed. THP gave many mice cures, especially in the intravenous treatment.     

Antitumor activity of benzamide riboside and its combination with cisplatin and staurosporine

Benzamide riboside (BR), a new synthetic nucleoside analogue, has demonstrated a potent cytotoxic activity in murine leukemia in vitro. The purpose of the present investigation was to examine the antitumor activity of BR in mice bearing leukemia L1210. The results revealed that BR possesses a potent antitumor activity in vivo. It increases life-span of mice with leukemia. Synergistic cytotoxicity of BR with select DNA damaging agents, cisplatin (cis-Pt) and staurosporine (STP) was examined in MTT chemosensitivity assay, FACS analyses and apoptotic DNA fragmentation on L1210 cells in culture. A simultaneous treatment of leukemia L1210 cells with the combination of BR and STP resulted in synergistic cytotoxicity that correlated with increased apoptotic activity in those cells. On the other hand, treatment of L1210 cells with combination of BR and cis-Pt resulted in antagonistic cytotoxic effect. Finally, to elucidate the synergistic effect of BR and STP in inducing apoptosis, the attention was directed to the activation of cell death processes through various cell cycle signals. This is the first report describing in vivo antitumor activity of BR and its utilization in combination chemotherapy.     

Synthesis and evaluation of antitumor activity of novel 2-[<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-Methyl-<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-(4-methyl-1,3-benzothiazol-2-yl)aminomethyl]-5,8-diacyloxy-1,4-naphthoquinones

A series of nine new compounds bridged by acyl groups at the 5,8-dihydroxyl group of DHNQ were synthesized and their cytotoxic activity against L1210 and P388 cancer cells was examined. Their antitumor action in mice bearing S-180 cells in the peritoneal cavity was also assessed. Increasing the size of the acyl group (compounds 7–9) up to propyl increased the antitumor activity (T/C value), whereas the cytotoxicity of these compounds was comparable against L1210 (lymphocytic leukemia) and P388 (lymphoid neoplasm) cancer cells. Further increasing in the chain length (compounds 11–15) decreased the potency. Thus, acyl group chains of three carbon atoms is optimal for antitumor activity. The most potent compound of this series was 2-[N-methyl-N-(4-methyl-1,3-benzothiazol-2-yl)aminomethyl]-5,8-dipropylcarbonyloxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (compound 9) with a T/C (%) value of 354.     

Antitumor activity of arylacetylshikonin analogues

Twenty one phenylacetylshikonin analogues were synthesized from various substituted phenyl acetic acids and their cytotoxicity values against A549, K562 and L1210 cell lines and antitumor action in mice bearing S-180 cells were measured. All of phenylacetylshikonin analogues expressed a potent cytotoxicity (ED₅₀, 0.1–1.80 μg/ml) against L1210 and K562 cells. L 1210 cells were the most sensitive to shikonin analogues among these cells. Except 4-methoxyphenylacetylshikonin (0.098μg/ml) and α-acetoxyphenylacetylshikonin (0.10μg/ml), all other shikonin derivatives showed higher ED₅₀ values than phenylacetylshikonin (0.13μg/ml) in L 1210. In K562 cell, α-substitution of phenylacetylshikonin (0.1 μg/ml), while other substitutions increased it slightly; 4-methoxyphenylacetylshikonin (0.033 μg/ml) showed a exceptionally good cytotoxicity against K562 cell. 4-Halogenation tended to decrease the cytotoxic effect on L1210 cells, while it enhanced the effect on K562; 4-bromophenylacetyl [ED₅₀ (L1210)=1.76 μ/ml, ED₅₀ (K 562)=0.32 μg/ml] and 4-chlorophenylacetyl shikonin [ED₅₀ (L 1210)=1.64 μg/ml, ED₅₀ (K562)=0.32 μg/ml]. In contrast, A549 cells were much less sensitive to these shikonin analogues which showed ED₅₀ values of 1.5–13.5 μg/ml. Most of phenylacetylshikonin derivatives showed good antitumor activity in mice bearing S-180 cells. α-A-cetoxyphenylacetylshikonin and 4-dimethylaminophenylacetylshikonin showed highest T/C value (192–195%), implying that introduction of α-acetyl or of 4-dimethyl amino group gave a positive effect on the antitumor activity. Introduction of 4-dimethylamino group enhanced the antitumor activity as shown for 4-dimethylaminophenylacetylshikonin (T/C, 192%). It might be due to improvement of water solubility by dimethylamino group in the molecule.     

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

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

Cross-resistance of drug-resistant murine leukemias to deoxyspergualin (NSC 356894) in vivo

Deoxyspergualin, the 15-deoxy derivative of the antibiotic spergualin, is a novel guanidino analog structurally related to spermine. Deoxyspergualin has significant activity in selected experimental tumor models, and clinical trials have been initiated. Described here are in vivo evaluations of the therapeutic activity of deoxyspergualin against murine leukemia lines specifically resistant to eight clinically useful antitumor drugs. These were P388 lines resistant to doxorubicin, vincristine, L-phenylalanine mustard, cisplatin, ara-C, and methotrexate and L1210 lines resistant to 5-FU, L-phenylalanine mustard, and cyclophosphamide. Sensitivity to deoxyspergualin was evaluated in parallel comparisons of each resistant leukemia to the sensitive line from which it had been derived. All experiments were repeated at least once for confirmation of results. Responses were quantitated in terms of the change in tumor cell numbers from the beginning of treatment to the end of treatment as estimated from the median survival times of dying mice. The results indicated that P388 leukemia resistant to cisplatin (P388/DDPt) was cross-resistant to deoxyspergualin. No cross-resistance was observed in leukemias resistant to doxorubicin, vincristine, ara-C, methotrexate, or cyclophosphamide. L1210 resistant to 5-FU (L1210/5-FU) was collaterally sensitive to deoxyspergualin. Although cross-resistance was also observed in P388/L-PAM, L1210/L-PAM retained sensitivity to deoxyspergualin. Total glutathione concentrations in P388/L-PAM and L1210/L-PAM provided no apparent explanation for this unexpected result. It may be tentatively concluded that resistance to cisplatin, L-PAM, or other DNA alkylators or cross-linkers may increase the potential for cross-resistance to deoxyspergualin. This conclusion requires verification with additional alkylating agents, with drug-resistant human tumor cell lines, and with prospective clinical studies.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

重组L—门冬酰胺酶与其野生型在体外和体内的抗肿瘤作用比较

目的:研究重组L-门冬酰胺酶对肿瘤细胞体外生长及实验性肿瘤的抑制作用.方法:体外培养肿瘤细胞(K562、L1210和P815),分别用倒置显微镜和透射电镜观察肿瘤细胞的形态学,MTT比色法观察细胞增殖率及抑制率,流式细胞仪分析DNA含量.同时根据移植性肿瘤研究方法小鼠接种L1210、P388、Heps及S_(180)瘤株,观察给药后小鼠存活天数和瘤重.结果:体外细胞培养实验证明,重组L-门冬酰胺酶对K562、L1210和P815细胞生长具有显著抑制作用(P<0.01).体内实验表明,重组L-门冬酰胺酶ip能显著延长移植肿瘤小鼠(L1210和P388)的存活天数(P<0.01),并对小鼠移植性肝癌实体瘤(Heps)生长有明显的抑制作用(P<0.01)。重组L-门冬酰胺酶iv对小鼠Heps和S_(180)肿瘤生长有明显的抑制作用(P<0.01).结论:重组L-门冬酰胺酶对肿瘤细胞体外生长及受试肿瘤有明显抑制作用.本结果对重组L-门冬酰胺酶的临床应用提供实验依据.     

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

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

Synthesis of hydroxy- and amino-substituted benzohydroxamic acids: inhibition of ribonucleotide reductase and antitumor activity.

Benzohydroxamic acids inhibit mammalian ribonucleotide reductase and exhibit antineoplastic activity in L1210 leukemic mice. Five new hydroxy- and amino-substituted benzohydroxamic acids (3,4- and 3,5-OH, 3,4-NH2, 2,3,4- and, 3,4,5-OH) were prepared and tested along with 12 previously reported benzohydroxamic acids (BHA) for enzyme inhibition and antitumor activity. The most potent enzyme inhibitor in this series was 2,3,4-OH-BHA (ID50 = 3.5 microM), which is 140 times more potent than hydroxyurea, but its toxicity limited the antitumor activity to a 30% increase in life span of L1210 bearing mice at 125 (mg/kg)/day ip for 8 days. The most effective antitumor agent in this series was 3,4-OH-BHA which prolonged the life span of L1210 bearing mice 103% at 600 (mg/kg)/day ip for 8 days.     

Preclinical antitumor activity of CI-973,[SP-4-3-(R)]-[1,1- cyclobutanedicarboxylato(2-)](2 methyl-1,4-butane-diamine-N,N')platinum

The antitumor activity of [SP-4-3-(R)]-[1,1-cyclobutanedicarboxylato-(2-)](2 methyl-1,4-butanediamine-N,N')platinum (CI-973) was characterized in a number of preclinical model systems. CI-973 retained substantial activity in cisplatin resistant murine leukemia cell lines, in vitro and in vivo; in L1210 leukemia resistant to cisplatin in vivo, CI-973 retained as much activity as was found in animals bearing sensitive L1210 leukemia. When compared in five solid murine tumors in vivo, both CI-973 and cisplatin were approximately equivalent in activity. In one human colon tumor and one human non-small cell lung carcinoma tested as xenografts in immunodeficient mice, cisplatin and CI-973 were ineffective. In two other human non-small cell lung carcinomas tested in the same fashion, cisplatin did possess activity. CI-973 has entered phase I clinical trials.     

Antitumor activity of 1-nitro-9-aminoacridines including nitracrine against some ascitic experimental tumors

The antitumor activity of a few 1-nitro-9-aminoacridine derivatives including nitracrine was evaluated against ascitic forms of murine tumors: Ehrlich carcinoma. Walker carcinosarcoma 256, and leukemia L1210. The studied compounds exhibited significant activity against ascitic Ehrlich carcinoma and very high activity against Walker carcinosarcoma. Leukemia L1210 on mice was not sensitive to the 1-nitro derivatives studied. On the basis of these results and the results reported earlier the following, specific biological properties exhibited by the derivatives studied were discussed: a) high activity against HeLa S3 and L1210 cells in vitro, but lack of activity against mice leukemia L1210; b) significant activity against some experimental and clinical tumors but not against leukemias, and c) lack of mammalian myelotoxicity.     

Chemistry and antitumor evaluation of selected classical 2,4-diaminoquinazoline analogues of folic acid

A series of six 2,4-diaminoquinazoline analogues of folic acid which bear close structural resemblance to methotrexate, 1a, were synthesized by unequivocal routes. Three of these have not been described previously, while complete structural characterization of the remaining compounds is presented for the first time. Each of the compounds was a potent inhibitor of dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) from rat liver or L1210 leukemia cells having I50 values in a range similar to that of 1a. However, a wide divergence in inhibitory activity toward the growth of human gastrointestinal adenocarcinoma or L1210 leukemia cells in vitro was observed. Compounds having a normal folate configuration at positions 9 and 10 were more inhibitory than their isomeric reversed-bridge counterparts. The N-formyl modifications were the least active of the compounds studied. Unsubstituted or N-methyl modifications competed effectively with tritiated 1a for uptake into L1210 leukemia cells, while N-formyl modifications did not. Against an L1210 cell line resistant to 1a by virtue of altered transport and overproduction of DHFR, partial but not complete cross-resistance was observed for certain analogues. Of the three compounds selected for in vivo evaluation against L1210 leukemia in mice, two had a similar level of antitumor activity to that of 1a. The compound 5,8-dideazamethopterin, 2b, however, was slightly more active than 1a but at substantially reduced dose levels.     

Synthesis and evaluation of antitumor activity of 2- and 6-[(1,3-benzothiazol-2-yl)aminomethyl]-5,8-dimethoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone derivatives

2- or 6-substituted BZT-N derivatives were synthesized, and their cytotoxic activity against cancer L1210 and SNU-1 cells was examined. The antitumor action was also assessed in mice bearing S-180 cells in peritoneal cavity. In a comparison, it was found that 6-substituted BZT-N derivatives exhibited higher potencies in both bioactivities than 2-substituted BZT-N derivatives against L1210 cells in in vitro and S-180 in vitro tests exception of compound 36. Interestingly, it was observed that 2-substituted compound 36, which has methyl group at R1 position, exhibited a better antitumor activity than 6-substituted compounds against L1210 and SNU-1 in vitro. The ED50 value of 2-substituted compound 36 against L1210 was found to be comparable to the ED50 value of adriamycin and was even better against the solid cancer cell line SNU-1. It was also observed that 2-substituted compound 36 showed better antitumor activity in mice bearing S-180 cells in the peritoneal cavity. The T/C (%) value of 2-substituted compound 36 was similar to that of adriamycin. Quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) tests reveal that the experimental ED50 values against SNU-1 closely correlate with both the calculated HOMO energies (E(HOMO)) and the measured 1H-NMR chemical shift of 3-H (deltaH). The results suggests that a compound having higher E(HOMO) and deltaH values usually should have a lower ED50 (SNU-1) value.     

Polyhydroxylated phenylacrylic acid derivatives as new anti-tumor agents

Preliminary evidence indicates that antitumor agents containing the o-dihydroxybenzene moiety exhibit enhanced antitumor activity toward malignant cells of high oxidative potential, such as melanoma cells. Based on this consideration, 11 hydroxybenzene acrylic acid derivatives of differing redox potential were prepared as potential substrates for the melanoma specific enzyme tyrosinase, that might exhibit general antitumor activity and enhanced cytotoxicity toward melanoma cells. Five of these compounds [alpha-cyano-beta-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-, alpha-cyano-beta-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-, and alpha-cyano-beta-(3,4,5-trihydroxyphenyl)acrylic acid (THPPA), and 3,4-dihydroxy- and 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzalcyanoacetamide] were found to be substrates for tyrosinase with Km values from 0.08 to 4.13 mM and Vmax values from 0.18 to 3.02. These data indicate that as the number of hydroxy groups increases, the rate of oxidation increases, and that cyanoamides were faster reacting than corresponding cyanoacids, with dicyanides the least reactive. In contrast, cyanoamides were less effective as substrates than cyanoacids. In vitro studies showed all but two compounds were active against L1210 (IC50 range 21-980 microM), SK-MEL-28 (IC50 range 54-950 microM), and SK-MEL-30-3 (IC50 range 54-190 microM). Only THPPA was active in vivo against L1210 and B-16 melanoma.     

Regiospecific gamma-conjugation of methotrexate to poly(L-lysine). Chemical and biological studies

Regiospecific syntheses of gamma- and alpha-conjugates of methotrexate and poly(L-lysine) are described. The alpha- and gamma-t-butyl esters, respectively, of methotrexate were coupled to poly(L-lysine) with diphenylphosphoryl azide in N,N-dimethylformamide, the ester-protecting group was cleaved with 15% hydrogen bromide in acetic acid, and small molecules were removed by dialysis. Poly(L-lysine) of Mr = 1,500-8,000 and 8,000-30,000 was used to prepare six different conjugates, which were characterized by ultraviolet absorbance measurement and quantitative amino acid analysis. The degree of substitution varied from one methotrexate per 4.7 lysines to one methotrexate per 10.2 lysines. Dihydrofolate reductase inhibition in a cell-free assay was observed with alpha- and gamma-conjugates, but the latter had the greater affinity (only 3-fold less than that of methotrexate itself). The binding of the conjugates exhibited a slight pH dependence, with affinity being greater at pH 7.2 than at pH 8.5 for both alpha- and gamma-conjugates. Toxicity to cultured rat hepatoma cells (H35) was also greater for the gamma-conjugates, and showed some dependence on the chain-length and degree of substitution of the poly(L-lysine) carrier. Cells resistant to methotrexate by virtue of a transport defect (H35R0.3 line) retained their sensitivity to the gamma-conjugate, but less so to the alpha-conjugate. There was also some retention of sensitivity in a more highly resistant cell line (H35R10) with impaired methotrexate transport and a concomitant increase in dihydrofolate reductase activity. gamma-Conjugation was likewise more favorable in cytotoxicity assays against L1210 murine leukemia cells, and there was partial retention of activity against highly methotrexate-resistant lines (L1210/R71 and L1210/R81) with a transport defect and/or an elevation of dihydrofolate reductase content. In antitumor assays against intraperitoneal L1210 leukemia in mice, a gamma-conjugate with Mr = 8,000-30,000 and one methotrexate per 5.5 lysines produced a 35-75% increase in lifespan when administered intraperitoneally at single doses equivalent to 10-20 mg/kg of methotrexate. A similar increase in lifespan with methotrexate alone on the single-dose regimen required 50-150 mg/kg. An alpha-conjugate of similar Mr and degree of substitution was inactive at nontoxic doses, as were other gamma-conjugates of lower Mr and/or degree of substitution.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Anthracene-1,4,9,10-tetraone Derivatives: Synthesis and Antitumor Activity

A series of 2-alkylated anthracene-1,4,9,10-tetraone (ATO) derivatives were synthesized, and their antitumor action in ICR mice bearing S-180 cells and antiproliferative activity against L1210 cells were evaluated. Overall, the introduction of an alkyl group (C₁–C₈) at C-2 enhanced the antiproliferative activity. Among 2-(1-hydroxyalkyl)- or 2-(1-acetoxyalkyl)-ATO derivatives, four compounds possessing alkyl chain of an intermediate size (C₄–C₆) gave T/C values of > 300%. Acetylation at 1′-OH failed to cause an enhancement in the antitumor action, in contrast to a remarkable increase in antiproliferative activity. Although there was no direct relationship between antiproliferative activity and antitumor action, the compounds with lower antiproliferative activity tended to show higher antitumor activity. Further study shows that the antiproliferative activity of ATO derivatives may be explained properly neither by redox cycling nor arylating capacity.