Preclinical activity of an i.v. formulation of rubitecan in IDD-P against human solid tumor xenografts

An i.v. formulation of rubitecan (9-nitrocamptothecin) was evaluated in five human solid tumor xenograft models. Rubitecan in IDD-P, a particulate suspension of the insoluble analog, produced significant tumor growth delay in athymic nude mice bearing A375 melanoma, and MX-1 breast, SKMES non-small-cell lung, Panc-1 pancreatic and HT29 colon carcinomas. The activity of i.v. rubitecan was similar or somewhat superior to those of i.p. regimens with the reference drugs, irinotecan and topotecan. Tumor sensitivity to rubitecan in IDD-P was MX-1>A375>SKMES >Panc-1>HT29. Some complete regression responses were seen with MX-1, A375 and SKMES tumors treated with 2.5 mg/kg on a schedule of two 5-day dosing cycles separated by 2 drug-free days. In nude mice, the MTD of rubitecan in IDD-P lies between 2 and 2.5 mg/kg on this schedule; antitumor efficacy was achieved with doses between 2.5 and 1.25 mg/kg. Dosing with 6.6 mg/kg rubitecan in IDD-P on intermittent schedules (4- or 7-day intervals) was tolerated, but less efficacious, when tested in the A375 model. The good responses obtained with rubitecan in IDD-P suggest it could be used clinically in circumstances where an i.v. formulation offers advantages to oral or aerosol formulations.     

Response of human tumor xenografts in athymic nude mice to docetaxel (RP 56976, Taxotere®)

Summary Docetaxel (Taxotere^?, RP 56976, NSC 628503), a new taxoid, was evaluated for preclinical evidence of anticancer activity in athymic nude (NCr-nu) mice bearing established, subcutaneously (s.c.) implanted human tumor xenografts CX-1 or KM20L2 (colon carcinomas), LX-1 (lung carcinoma), MX-1 (mammary carcinoma), and SK-MEL-2 (melanoma). Other evaluations used OVCAR-3 (ovarian carcinoma) xenografts implanted intraperitoneally (i.p.). Docetaxel was administered intravenously (i.v.) every 4 days for 3 injections (q4d×3) except for one OVCAR-3 experiment in which the drug was given i.p. every 7 days for 3 injections. Tumor measurements, animal body weights, and mortality were determined. The highest dosage used (50 mg/kg/dose) was toxic in all experiments in which the 4-day treatment interval was used. The maximally tolerated dosage (MTD) ranged from 15 to 33 mg/kg/dose. Therapeutic responses among these xenografts ranged from clinically important long-term tumor-free survivors (MX-1, SK-MEL-2, and OVCAR-3) to tumor growth delays of various durations (CX-1, LX-1, and KM20L2). The response of SKMEL-2, a xenograft highly refractory to available drugs, was particularly noteworthy. These results are indicative of a broad spectrum of antitumor activity for docetaxel.     

Antitumor activity of 7-[2-(N-isopropylamino)ethyl]-(20S)-camptothecin, CKD602, as a potent DNA topoisomerase I inhibitor

We developed a novel water-soluble camptothecin analogue, CKD602, and evaluated the inhibition of topoisomerase I and the antitumor activities against mammalian tumor cells and human tumor xenografts. CKD602 was a nanomolar inhibitor of the topoisomerase I enzyme in the cleavable complex assay. CKD602 was found to be 3 times and slightly more potent than topotecan and camptothecin as inhibitors of topoisomerase, respectively. In tumor cell cytotoxicity, CKD602 was more potent than topotecan in 14 out of 26 human cancer cell lines tested, while it was comparable to camptothecin. CKD602 was tested for thein vivo antitumor activity against the human tumor xenograft models. CKD602 was able to induce regression of established HT-29, WIDR and CX-1 colon tumors, LX-1 lung tumor, MX-1 breast tumor and SKOV-3 ovarian tumor as much as 80, 94, 76, 67, 87% and 88%, respectively, with comparable body weight changes to those of topotecan. Also the therapeutic margin (R/Emax: maximum tolerance dose/ED₅₈) of CKD602 was significantly higher than that of topotecan by 4 times. Efficacy was determined at the maximal tolerated dose levels using schedule dependent i.p. administration in mice bearing L1210 leukemia. On a Q4d×4 (every 4 day for 4 doses) schedule, the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) was 25 mg/kg per administration, which caused great weight loss and lethality in <5% tumor bearing mouse. This schedule brought significant increase in life span (ILS), 212%, with 33% of long-term survivals. The ex vivo antitumor activity of CKD602 was compared with that of topotecan and the mean antitumor index (ATI) values recorded for CKD602 were significantly higher than that noted for topotecan. From these results, CKD602 warrants further clinical investigations as a potent inhibitor of topoisomerase I.     

Cardiotoxicity and cytotoxicity of the anthracycline analog 4'-deoxy-4'-iodo-doxorubicin.

The cardiotoxicity and cytotoxicity of the novel doxorubicin (DXR) derivative 4'-deoxy-4'-iodo-DXR were evaluated and compared to DXR. A single dose of DXR 10 mg/kg i.v. in anesthetized rats induced a significant widening of S alpha T segment of the electrocardiogram, an increase in both mean arterial blood pressure and heart rate and a fall in systemic arterial dP/dtmax, while 4'-deoxy-4'-iodo-DXR 4 mg/kg i.v. induced a significant widening of S alpha T segment and an increase in mean arterial blood pressure. A chronic cardiomyopathy was induced over a 6-week period by three injections of DXR 3 mg/kg per week i.v. and was characterized by a progressive enlargement of S alpha T segment, a flattening of T wave, the occurrence of arrhythmias and histological alterations of myocardium. The contractile responses to adrenaline of isolated hearts from DXR-treated animals were significantly reduced compared to controls. 4'-Deoxy-4'-iodo-DXR (1.2 mg/kg per week three times) induced minor ECG alterations and sporadic episodes of arrhythmias. The contractile responses of isolated hearts were not significantly different from those of controls and microscopic examination of hearts revealed only minor changes. Cytotoxicity in vitro was evaluated by the colony formation assay; based on IC50, 4'-deoxy-4'-iodo-DXR was up to six times more cytotoxic than DXR on four human cancer cell lines. These results suggest that 4'-deoxy-4'-iodo-DXR is significantly less cardiotoxic and more cytotoxic than DXR.     

Combination chemotherapy with JTE-522, a novel selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor,and cisplatin against gastric cancer cell lines in vitro and in vivo

COX-2 over-expression occurs in various cancers, but the role of COX-2 in cancer progression remains to be elucidated. We examined the inhibitory effects of a novel selective COX-2 inhibitor, JTE-522 (JT), against gastric cancer cell lines (TMK-1, MKN-45 and MKN-74) alone and in combination with cisplatin (CDDP). The antitumor activity of JTE-522 was evaluated by MTT assay, which revealed that JT alone elicits a dose-dependent antitumor activity in vitro. The JT/CDDP combination elicited a synergistic antitumor effect in MKN-45 cells and an additive effect in the other cell lines. In an in vivo study, 10 mg/kg JT and 12 mg/kg CDDP together elicited a synergistic antitumor activity against MKN-45 cells that were subcutaneously transplanted into nude mice. We conclude that JT is a potent antitumor agent in vitro and in vivo and that, in combination with CDDP, it might be a useful treatment strategy for gastric cancer.     

Dexrazoxane pre-treatment protects skinned rat cardiac trabeculae against delayed doxorubicin-induced impairment of crossbridge kinetics

1. Dexrazoxane (DXR, ICRF-187) has been shown both in animal studies and clinical trials to provide a substantial cardioprotection when co-administered with anthracycline drugs like Doxorubicin (DOX). In a previous study, we showed that chronic DOX treatment in rats is associated with a clear impairment of the crossbridge kinetics and shift in myosin iso-enzymes. 2.The present study was adopted to investigate whether the cardioprotective action of DXR involves preservation of the normal actin-myosin interaction. Rats were treated for 4 weeks with either DOX at a weekly dose of 2 mg kg(-1) (i.v.), or were pre-injected with DXR (40 mg kg(-1), i.v.) at a 20 : 1 dose ratio 30 min prior to the DOX infusion. Rats receiving saline or DXR alone were included in the experiments. Cardiac trabeculae were isolated 4 weeks after the last infusion and were skinned with detergent. 3. Crossbridge turnover kinetics were studied after application of rapid length perturbations of varying amplitudes in Ca(2+)-activated preparations. DXR treatment offered a significant protection against the DOX-induced impairment of the crossbridge kinetics in isolated cardiac trabeculae. Time constants describing transitions between different crossbridge states were restored to normal in both the quick release protocol and the slack-test. DXR prevented the shift from the 'high ATPase' alpha-myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoform towards the 'low-ATPase' beta-MHC isoform in the ventricles. 4. We conclude that pre-administration of DXR in rats greatly reduces the deleterious effects of chronic DOX treatment on the trabecular actin - myosin crossbridge cycle. Preventing direct deleterious effects on the actin - myosin crossbridge system may provide a new target for preventing or reducing DOX-related cardiotoxicity and may enable patients to continue the treatment beyond currently imposed limits.     

Combination of oral fluoropyrimidine and docetaxel: reappraisal of synergistic effect against gastric carcinoma xenografts

BACKGROUND: The synergistic antitumor effect of a combination of docetaxel and capecitabine is reported to be attributable to docetaxel-mediated up-regulation of thymidine phosphorylase (dThdPase). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Intravenous docetaxel (15 mg/kg) was given to nude mice bearing xenografts of the gastric cancer cell lines MKN45 and MKN28. Mice were sacrificed on days 7, 10 and 22 and tumor samples were taken to measure the activities of thymidylate synthase, dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase, dThdPase and orotate phosphoribosyltransferase. The efficacy of capecitabine or S-1, alone and in combination with docetaxel, was then evaluated in vivo. Docetaxel was administered intravenously on days 8 and 22 at 15 mg/kg, while capecitabine (269 mg/kg) or S-1 (7.5 mg/kg) were administered orally 5 times a week for 4 weeks. RESULTS: Tumor regression was observed only for a combination of capecitabine and docetaxel against MKN28, while additive growth inhibition was obtained by the combination of docetaxel and both S-1 and capecitabine on MKN45 tumor xenografts. Induction of dThdPase activity was observed only for MKN45. The activity of no other enzyme was significantly affected following administration of docetaxel. CONCLUSION: The combination of oral fluoropyrimidine and docetaxel showed augmented antitumor activity, but this may be attributed to mechanisms other than changes in 5-fluorouracil-metabolizing enzymes.     

Enhanced therapeutic efficacy of a novel liposome-based formulation of SN-38 against human tumor models in SCID mice

SN-38 is an active metabolite of CPT-11. The poor solubility of SN-38 in any pharmaceutically acceptable solvent and pH-dependent activity has limited its clinical use. Our objective was to evaluate an easy-to-use liposome-based formulation of SN-38 (LE-SN38) and compare the antitumor activity with its pro-drug CPT-11 against cancer cell lines and human xenograft tumor models. The cytotoxicity of LE-SN38 and CPT-11 was determined in four human cancer cell lines using the sulforhodamine B assay. The therapeutic efficacy was tested against human colon (HT-29) and breast (MX-1) xenograft tumor models in SCID mice. LE-SN38 with greater than 95% drug entrapment was found to be highly cytotoxic against four different cell lines with GI50 values of less than 0.1 microM. In the HT-29 tumor model, LE-SN38 (q x d5) at 2, 4 or 8 mg/kg resulted in 33, 81 and 91% tumor growth inhibition, respectively, compared to the drug-free liposome group. In contrast, similar dose levels of CPT-11 treatment led to only 2, 36 and 46% growth inhibition. For the MX-1 model, LE-SN38 (q x d5) regressed tumor growth by 44 and 88% at 4 and 8 mg/kg dose, respectively, whereas no regression was observed in the CPT-11-treated group. We conclude that LE-SN38 is a novel liposome-based formulation with enhanced therapeutic efficacy against human tumor models.     

Acute cardiovascular effects of (+)-nantenine, an alkaloid isolated from Platycapnos spicata, in anaesthetised normotensive rats

This is the first study of the in vivo potential activity of (+)-nantenine (a natural aporphinoid alkaloid) on the rat cardiovascular system. In anaesthetized normotensive rats, acute intravenous ( i. v.) administration of (+)-nantenine (3 - 6 mg/kg) produced a dose-dependent fall in mean arterial pressure (MAP), accompanied by a significant decrease in heart rate (HR). In addition, (+)-nantenine (5 mg/kg i. v.) did not modify the cardiovascular effects induced by angiotensin II (0.2 microg/kg i. v.) and the selective alpha (2)-adrenoceptor agonist B-HT 920 (0.2 mg/kg i. v.) [unlike nifedipine (0.8 mg/kg i. v.) and yohimbine (1 mg/kg i. v.), respectively] but markedly attenuated [like prazosin (0.2 mg/kg i. v.)] the hypertension evoked by phenylephrine (PE, 25 microg/kg, i. v.), a selective alpha (1)-adrenergic receptor agonist and, like ketanserin (1 mg/kg i. v.), the second phase (rise in MAP) of the cardiovascular response caused by 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT, 0.3 mg/kg i. v.). On the other hand, pre-treatment of anaesthetised rats with NG-nitro- L-arginine ( L-NOARG, 5 mg/kg i. v.) did not significantly affect the cardiovascular effects of (+)-nantenine. These results indicate that the hypotension and bradycardia elicited by this aporphine alkaloid in anaesthetised normotensive rats seem to be due, at least in part, to a combined alpha (1)-adrenergic and 5-HT (2A) receptor blockade but not to the release of nitric oxide (NO) from vascular endothelium, to an alpha (2)-adrenoceptor antagonism or to a calcium antagonist activity. Abbreviations. BP:blood pressure HR:heart rate 5-HT:5-hydroxytryptamine i. v.:intravenous L-NOARG: NG-nitro- L-arginine MAP:mean arterial pressure NO:nitric oxide PE:phenylephrine     

Cardiotoxicity induced by doxorubicin in vivo: protective activity of the spin trap alpha-phenyl-tert-butyl nitrone.

The role of free radical generation in the development of the acute cardiotoxicity induced by doxorubicin (DXR) in the rat and the protective activity of anti-radical drugs were investigated in in vivo experiments by evaluating the body weight curve, ECG, contractile performance and coronary flow up to 10 days after DXR. A lipophilic spin trap (alpha-phenyl-tert-butyl nitrone, PBN) was continuously administered at a dose of 0.65 mg/kg every hour for 2 weeks by an intraperitoneal osmotic pump. DXR was administered i.v. at a dose of 9 mg/kg 3 days after beginning the PBN infusion. DXR impaired ECG and body weight gain after 3 days (partly reversible at later times), while contractility and coronary flow were significantly impaired throughout the experimental time. PBN was shown to prevent the DXR-induced alterations of contractility and coronary flow, while ECG was non-significantly improved. The body weight curve was not affected. Since the dose of PBN used does not produce pharmacological effects, the protective activity in rats receiving DXR indicates that free radicals may play a causal role in the acute cardiotoxicity in vivo. The use of suitable spin traps and administration schedules seems to be an interesting approach for the prevention of radical-dependent pathologies.     

Pharmacological study of nicergoline. (I): Protective effect against anoxic brain damages in animals

The protective effects of nicergoline (NCG) against anoxic brain damages in animals were compared with those of dihydroergotoxine (DHE) and phentolamine (PTA). NCG (16 mg/kg, i.p.) prolonged the survival time of mice under hypobaric hypoxia, but DHE and PTA shortened the time. NCG (1-16 mg/kg, i.p. and 16-64 mg/kg, p.o.), like DHE, dose-dependently prolonged the survival time of mice after a lethal dose of KCN (3 mg/kg, i.v.), but PTA did not. NCG (8-128 micrograms/kg, i.v.), like DHE, dose-dependently protected against disappearance of EEG of rats in histotoxic anoxia induced by a sublethal dose of KCN (1.5 mg/kg, i.v.), but PTA did not. Its protective effect was 10 times or more stronger than that of DHE. NCG (1-16 mg/kg, i.p.) dose-dependently promoted recovery from behavioral disorders and disturbance of cerebral energy metabolism of mice in histotoxic anoxia induced by a sublethal dose of KCN (1.8 mg/kg, i.v.). NCG (100 microM), like DHE, showed antagonistic action against inhibition of cerebral cytochrome oxidase activity by KCN, but PTA did not. The ED50 values of NCG, DHE and PTA for the protective effect against adrenaline-induced death in mice were 1.18, 0.27 and 0.35 mg/kg (i.p.), respectively. 7) These results suggest that NCG may show protective effects against the anoxic brain damages due to its ameliorating action on cerebral energy metabolism, mainly contributed by an activation of cerebral cytochrome oxidase, without relation to its alpha-blocking action.     

Characterization of the toxicity of distamycin derivatives on cancer cell lines and rat heart.

The cytotoxicity and cardiotoxicity of benzoyl mustard (FCE 24517) and epoxamido (FCE 24561) synthetic derivatives of distamycin A were reported in the present study. The 50% inhibiting concentration (IC50) of colony formation of FCE 24517 on human SNB-19 glioblastoma, A2780 ovarian cancer and DU 145 prostate cancer was at least three times lower than that of FCE 24561; on the same cell lines the IC50 of DXR was up to 14 and 240 times higher than that of FCE 24561 and FCE 24517, respectively. Isolated rat hearts perfused with concentrations of both derivatives equivalent to their respective IC50 values did not show any significant change in ECG parameters, contractility and coronary flow. Compared to control hearts, FCE 24517 10(-6) M induced a significant increase in PR interval, reduction in + dF/dtmax, heart rate and coronary flow, while FCE 24561 10(-6) M produced a modest but significant increase in S alpha T segment and decrease in + dF/dtmax. Rats treated with FCE 24561 3, 6 or 12 mg/kg, intravenously (i.v.), once weekly for 3 weeks had a modest increase in S alpha T segment and QRS complex duration, while a slight alteration of S alpha T segment and QRS complex duration were observed in rats given FCE 24517 1 or 2 mg/kg i.v. once weekly for 3 weeks. No cardiac histologic alterations were found in hearts from rats receiving FCE 24517 or FCE 24561. For comparison, the cardiotoxicity of doxorubicin (DXR) was evaluated in the same experimental models; perfusion of hearts with DXR 10(-6) M induced severe alterations in all parameters of the isolated hearts; the administration of DXR 3 mg/kg i.v. once a week for 3 weeks was associated with a widening of the S alpha T segment and QRS complex and cardiac histologic picture was markedly altered. In conclusion, distamycin A derivatives display elevated cytotoxicity while no substantial cardiotoxicity was observed.     

A metronomic schedule of cyclophosphamide combined with PEGylated liposomal doxorubicin has a highly antitumor effect in an experimental pulmonary metastatic mouse model

Metronomic chemotherapy is a novel approach to the control of advanced cancer, as it appears to preferentially inhibit endothelial cell activity in the growing vasculature of tumors. Doxorubicin-containing sterically stabilized liposomes (DXR-SL) accumulate in large amounts in tumor tissue, resulting in enhanced antitumor effects of the encapsulated DXR. In the present study, it was hypothesized that metronomic chemotherapy may further augment the accumulation of DXR-SL, improving its therapeutic efficacy. This study tests the antitumor efficacy for the combination of a metronomic cyclophosphamide (CPA)-dosing schedule with sequential intravenous injections of DXR-SL in the treatment of lung metastatic B16BL6 melanoma-bearing mice. Three dosing schedules for the combination of metronomic CPA injections (s.c. 170 mg/kg every 6 days) plus either a low or a high dose of DXR-SL (i.v. 1 or 5 mg/kg every 6 days) were set: Schedule I, DXR-SL was given 3 days before the first CPA treatment; Schedule II, DXR-SL and CPA were given simultaneously; and, Schedule III, DXR-SL was given 3 days after the first CPA treatment. Lung weight and median survival time (MST) were evaluated. As expected, both the dosing schedule as well as the dose of DXR-SL improved therapeutic efficacy. Schedule I with the low DXR dose and Schedule II with the low or high DXR dose significantly increased MST, compared with regular metronomic CPA therapy. Under the dosing schedules (Schedule I with the low DXR dose and Schedule II with the high DXR), there was a strong relationship between increased MST and decreased lung weight. However, Schedule I with high DXR dose resulted in significantly lower lung weights, but did not increase MST, suggesting that chemotherapy may result in increased toxicity in some conditions. Although treatment regimens require optimization, the results of the present study may prove useful in further explorations of combining metronomic chemotherapy with liposomal anticancer drugs in the treatment of solid tumors.     

Dendrimer-platinate: a novel approach to cancer chemotherapy

A polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimer generation 3.5 with a sodium carboxylate surface was conjugated to cisplatin giving a dendrimer-platinate (dendrimer-Pt; 20-25 wt% platinum) which was highly water soluble and released platinum slowly in vitro. In vivo the dendrimer-Pt and cisplatin were equi-active i.p. against i.p. L1210, and at high dose dendrimer-Pt given i.p. showed activity against i.p. B16F10 whereas cisplatin did not. Additionally, when administered i.v. to treat a palpable s.c. B16F10 melanoma, the dendrimer-Pt displayed antitumor activity whereas cisplatin was inactive. Measurement of platinum levels in blood and tissues after i.v. injection of cisplatin (1 mg/kg) or dendrimer-Pt (15 mg/kg)-the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of these compounds-showed selective accumulation of the dendrimer-Pt in solid tumor tissue by the EPR effect (a 50-fold increase in area under curve compared with cisplatin). The dendrimer-Pt was also less toxic (3- to 15-fold) than cisplatin and thus has potential for further investigation as a novel antitumor approach.     

The role of nitric oxide and platelet-activating factor in the inhibition by endotoxin of pentagastrin-stimulated gastric acid secretion.

Administration of E. coli endotoxin (1 mg/kg i.v.) abolished the acid secretory response induced by a bolus injection of pentagastrin (100 micrograms/kg i.v.) in the continuously perfused stomach of the anaesthetized rat. Endotoxin administration did not modify mean systemic arterial blood pressure. Pretreatment with NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME; 5-20 mg/kg i.v.), but not dexamethasone (5 mg/kg s.c. twice) or indomethacin (5 mg/kg i.m.), substantially restored the secretory responses to pentagastrin. The actions of L-NAME were reversed by the prior administration of L-arginine (100 mg/kg i.v.), but not by its enantiomer D-arginine (100 mg/kg i.v.). L-NAME (10 mg/kg i.v.) increased blood pressure but this does not seem to be the mechanism by which endotoxin-induced acid inhibition was prevented, since similar systemic pressor responses induced by noradrenaline (15 micrograms/kg per min i.v.) had no such effect. The platelet-activating factor (PAF) receptor antagonist, WEB 2086 (2 mg/kg), induced a partial reversal of the inhibition by endotoxin of acid responses to pentagastrin. In endotoxin-treated rats, the combined administration of L-NAME (10 mg/kg) and WEB 2086 (2 mg/kg) completely restored the degree of H+ output induced by pentagastrin to levels similar to those of control, vehicle-treated animals. These findings suggest that endotoxin-induced acute inhibition of acid responses to pentagastrin involves NO synthesis and the release of PAF.     

Role of Gi proteins in the antidepressant-like effect of amitriptyline and clomipramine.

The effect of the i.c.v. administration of pertussis toxin (PTX) and antisense oligodeoxynucleotides directed against the alpha subunit of different Gi-proteins (anti-Gi alpha(1), anti-Gi alpha(2), anti-Gi alpha(3), anti-Go alpha(1), anti-Go alpha(2)) on the antidepressant-like effect induced by amitriptyline and clomipramine, was evaluated in the mouse forced swimming test, an animal model of depression. The administration of amitriptyline (15 mg kg(-1) s.c.) and clomipramine (25 mg kg(-1) s.c.) produced an increase in the mobility time that was prevented by PTX (0.25 micro g per mouse i.c.v.), administered 11 days before the mouse forced swimming test. Anti-Gi alpha(1) (12.5 micro g per mouse i.c.v.), anti-Gi alpha(2) (12.5 micro g per mouse i.c.v.), anti-Gi alpha(3) (6.25 micro g per mouse i.c.v.), and anti-Go alpha(1) (6.25 micro g per mouse i.c.v.), administered 24 and 18 h before the training session, prevented the amitriptyline and clomipramine increase of the mobility time. By contrast, pretreatment with anti-Go alpha(2) (1.56-12.5 micro g per mouse i.c.v.) never modified the antidepressant-like effect induced by the two investigated compounds. At the highest effective doses, none of the compounds used impaired motor coordination, as revealed by the rota-rod test, nor modified spontaneous motility and inspection activity, as revealed by the hole-board test. These results suggest the important role played by Gi(1), Gi(2), Gi(3), and Go(1) protein subtypes and the lack of involvement by Go(2) protein subtype in the transduction mechanism responsible for the antidepressant-like effect produced by amitriptyline and clomipramine.     

Improved effectiveness of nanoparticle albumin-bound (nab) paclitaxel versus polysorbate-based docetaxel in multiple xenografts as a function of HER2 and SPARC status

Nanoparticle albumin-bound (nab)-paclitaxel (Abraxane) is an albumin-bound 130-nm particle form of paclitaxel that demonstrated higher efficacy and was well tolerated compared with solvent-based paclitaxel (Taxol) and docetaxel (Taxotere) in clinical trials for metastatic breast cancer. Nab-paclitaxel enhances tumor targeting through gp60 and caveolae-mediated endothelial transcytosis and the association with the albumin-binding protein SPARC (secreted protein, acidic and rich in cysteine) in the tumor microenvironment. The overexpression of human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2) in breast cancer has been shown to correlate with resistance to paclitaxel. To evaluate the importance of HER2 and SPARC status in determining the relative efficacy of nab-paclitaxel compared with polysorbate-based docetaxel, nude mice bearing six different human tumor xenografts were treated with nab-paclitaxel (MX-1: 15 mg/kg, once a week for 3 weeks; LX-1, MDA-MB-231/HER2+, PC3, and HT29: 50 and 120 mg/kg, every 4 days three times ; MDA-MB-231: 120 and 180 mg/kg, every 4 days three times) and polysorbate-based docetaxel (15 mg/kg). HER2 and SPARC status were analyzed by RT-PCR and immunohistochemical staining. MDA-MB-231 and MX-1 breast and LX-1 lung cancers were HER2 negative and low in SPARC expression. Nab-paclitaxel at submaximum-tolerated dosage was significantly more effective than polysorbate-based docetaxel at its maximum-tolerated dosage in these three HER2-negative tumors. The HER2-positive tumors had variable SPARC expression, with MDA-MB-231/HER2+ 相似文献   

Protective effects of caffeic acid phenethyl ester on doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity in rats

The prevention of doxorubicin (DXR)-induced cardiotoxicity may be helpful to improve future DXR therapy. The aim of this study was to investigate the cardio-protective effects of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), an antioxidant agent, on DXR-induced cardiotoxicity. Rats were divided into three groups and treated with saline, DXR and DXR + CAPE. Rats were treated with CAPE (10 micromol x kg(-1) day(-1) i.p.) or saline starting 2 days before a single dose of DXR (20 mg x kg(-1) i.p.). Ten days later, haemodynamic measurements were performed and the hearts were excised for biochemical analyses and microscopic examination. The heart rate and mean blood pressure were higher and the pulse pressure was lower in the DXR group than in the other two groups. The administration of DXR alone resulted in higher myeloperoxidase activity, lipid peroxidation and protein carbonyl content than in the other groups. The activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase were higher in DXR and DXR + CAPE groups than in the saline group. Rats in the DXR + CAPE group had increased catalase activity in comparison with the DXR group and high glutathione peroxidase activity in comparison with the other two groups. There was severe disruption of mitochondrial fi ne structure in the electron microscopy of the DXR group. In contrast, myocardial microscopy appeared nearly normal in the DXR + CAPE group (as de fi ned at the electron microscopic level). In light of these in vivo haemodynamic, enzymatic and morphological results, we conclude that CAPE pretreatment significantly attenuated DXR-induced cardiac injury, possibly with its antioxidant effects.     

Toxicity and efficacy studies on a series of lipid-soluble dineodecanoato(trans-R,R- and trans-S,S-1,2-diaminocyclohexane) platinum (II) complexes entrapped in liposomes.

A number of highly lipophilic dineodecanoato(trans-R,R- and trans-S,S-1,2-diaminocyclohexane) platinum (II) complexes were entrapped in multilamellar vesicles composed of dimyristoyl phosphatidylcholine and dimyristoyl phosphatidyl-glycerol at a molar ratio of 7:3. The entrapment efficiency and stability of liposomal platinum (L-Pt) preparations was greater than 90%. The subacute mouse LD50 of L-Pt preparations tested ranged from 60 to 104 mg/kg. All L-Pt preparations tested had no significant nephrotoxicity at the LD50 dose except for L-Pt 5, which caused renal dysfunctions (as evidenced by elevated blood urea nitrogen levels) at the LD50 dose. L-Pt preparations had shown good in vivo antitumor activity against i.p. L1210 leukemia when an optimal dose was administered i.p. to mice on days 1, 5 and 9 (% T/C 230-300; cisplatin 220). L-Pt preparations were also markedly active, by the i.p. route, against L1210 leukemia resistant to cisplatin (% T/C 237-355; cisplatin 112). All L-Pt preparations exhibited significant antitumor activity against B16 melanoma when administered i.p. on day 1 (% T/C 144-155; cisplatin 161). L-Pt 1, 3 and 5 were all tested by the i.v. route on days 4, 8 and 12 against M5076 reticulosarcoma, but none of these preparations showed any significant antitumor activity against this tumor system (% T/C 120-127; cisplatin 173). Current studies aimed at optimizing the liposomal formulation of these compounds should result in the selection of a single isomeric L-Pt formulation for clinical development.     

Antiparkinsonian drugs memantine and trihexyphenidyl potentiate the anticonvulsant activity of valproate against maximal electroshock-induced seizures.

Memantine increased the threshold for electroconvulsions, when administered at 1.0-6.0 mg/kg (i.p.) and given in subthreshold doses of 0.0156, 0.0625, 0.125 and 0.5 mg/kg (i.p.) potentiated the protective efficacy of valproate, against maximal electroshock (50 mA)-induced seizures in mice, lowering the ED50 from 235 to 197, 172, 164 and 130 mg/kg, respectively. Trihexyphenidyl, applied in doses of 30 and 50 mg/kg (i.p.), did not influence the electroconvulsive threshold per se but when combined with valproate, strongly enhanced its anticonvulsant activity against maximal electroshock-induced seizures lowering the ED50 from 206 to 103 and 46 mg/kg, respectively. The chimney test and retention testing in mice revealed that administration of memantine at 0.5 mg/kg (i.p.) or trihexyphenidyl at 30 mg/kg (i.p.) together with valproate in doses of 130 or 103 mg/kg (i.p.), respectively, resulted in motor impairment and caused impairment of long-term memory, similar to the effects of valproate alone, when applied at its ED50 against maximal electroshock. Neither memantine nor trihexyphenidyl altered the total level of valproate in plasma. It may be concluded that the potentiation of the anticonvulsant activity of valproate, by memantine and trihexyphenidyl, is not associated with a pharmacokinetic interaction.