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Biomedical subjects

D D Shoemaker

Publications and source records attributed to D D Shoemaker.

35 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Arabinosyl-5-azacytosine: a novel nucleoside entering clinical trials.

Arabinosyl-5-azacytosine is a new compound which has been selected by the Division of Cancer Treatment, National Cancer Institute for clinical development as an antineoplastic agent based on its high degree of activity against a broad range of tumor types in preclinical studies. Therapeutic activity has been observed against murine and human leukemias, transplantable murine solid tumors, and human tumor xenografts. Arabinosyl-5-azacytosine exhibited a broader spectrum of activity against human solid tumors than cytosine arabinoside. Arabinosyl-5-azacytosine is phosphorylated to the nucleotide level by deoxycytidine kinase. Upon further anabolism to the triphosphate level, it can be incorporated into DNA. The mechanism of cytotoxicity is thought to be related to inhibition of DNA synthesis. Leukemic and solid tumor cell lines that are resistant to cytosine arabinoside due to deletion of deoxycytidine kinase activity are cross-resistant to arabinosyl-5-azacytosine. Unlike cytosine arabinoside, arabinosyl-5-azacytosine does not readily undergo deamination. Schedule dependence has been demonstrated in mice bearing L1210 leukemia, with superior activity seen with multiple doses administered on each treatment day compared to administration of larger but less frequently administered doses. From preliminary data in solid tumor models, however, antitumor activity did not appear to be superior with continuous infusion compared to that observed on a bolus schedule. Preclinical toxicology studies indicated that the bone marrow and gastrointestinal tract were the main target organs. A single large dose of arabinosyl-5-azacytosine could be tolerated by both mice and dogs. When administered as a continuous infusion, the toxicity was related to both the dose and duration of exposure, suggesting that toxicity resulted from a critical time above a threshold concentration as opposed to the total area under the concentration-time curve. Phase I clinical trials have been initiated to determine the maximum tolerated dose on a low dose continuous infusion schedule for 72 hours and also on a high dose short infusion daily times five schedule.

Antiviral Agents↗

Echinomycin: the first bifunctional intercalating agent in clinical trials.

Echinomycin is a quinoxaline antibiotic that was originally isolated from Streptomyces echinatus. Based on its antitumor activity against two i.p. implanted murine tumors, the B16 melanoma, and the P388 leukemia, it was brought into clinical trials by the National Cancer Institute. Recent studies on its cytotoxic action have related its antitumor activity with its ability to bifunctionally intercalate with double stranded DNA. Toxicologic studies were carried out in CDF1 mice and beagle dogs using intravenous injections. For the mice studies the dose ranges were 288-692 mcg/kg (864-2076 mcg/m2) by single bolus, and 112-254 mcg/kg/day (336-762 mcg/m2/day) for five consecutive days. In the dog, dose ranges studied were 8.9-89.4 mcg/kg (178-1788 mcg/m2) by single bolus, and 3.4-33.5 mcg/kg/day (68-670 mcg/m2/day) for five consecutive days. The major toxic effects were found in the gastrointestinal, hepatic, and lymphoreticular systems. These were reversible at all but the highest dose, in dogs that had been treated for five consecutive days. Phase I clinical trials using various intravenous schedules were sponsored by the National Cancer Institute. Nausea, vomiting, reversible liver enzyme abnormalities, and allergic reactions were the most common toxicities encountered. Based on results from these studies, the National Cancer Institute has recently begun phase II trials in a broad range of diseases. These trials will further characterize echinomycin's toxic effects and its antitumor activity.

Animals↗

Trimetrexate: a new antifol entering clinical trials.

Trimetrexate, a 2,4-diaminoquinazoline derivative, is a new antifol recently introduced into clinical trials. It differs from methotrexate principally in its transport (not carrier-mediated), and its intracellular retention (not polyglutamylated). Trimetrexate is active against tumors which are methotrexate-resistant on the basis of impaired transport, and has a broader range of antitumor activity in preclinical models. Animal studies predict toxicity principally to the central nervous system, gastrointestinal tract and bone marrow.

Animals↗

Tiazofurin: a new antitumor agent.

Tiazofurin is an interesting drug now entering Phase I trials, with marked preclinical antitumor activity against P388 and L1210 leukemias, and the Lewis lung carcinoma. Schedule dependency favoring frequent administration has been noted. The drug has a novel mechanism of action, being metabolized to an inhibitory cofactor of inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase. Tiazofurin is widely distributed after i.v. administration exhibiting a triphasic pattern of plasma decay, with a terminal half-life of 3-16 h in the three species studied. Approximately 90% of the drug was excreted unchanged in the urine within 24 h. A significant potential for the slower release of intracellularly retained drug exists. Anticipated organ toxicities based on the studies described include myelotoxicity, hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity. These were mild and reversible at lower doses, and were not seen at levels corresponding to the starting doses in man. A potential for hyperuricemia exists; this should be easily controllable by the use of allopurinol, without compromising the drug's antitumor effect. Phase I trials under the sponsorship of the NCI are underway in a number of institutions.

Animals↗

Metabolism of 4'-(9-acridinylamino)methanesulfon-m-anisidide by rat liver microsomes.

4'-(9-Acridinylamino)methanesulfon-m-anisidide (m-AMSA) is metabolized by a hepatic microsomal enzyme system composed of rat liver microsomes, a reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-generating system, cytosolic protein (or glutathione), and oxygen. Omission of any one of the components, or incubation under an atmosphere of CO or N2, results in inhibition of the reaction. Also, the addition of inhibitors of microsomal metabolism (alpha-naphthoflavone, metyrapone, or SKF 525-A) decreases m-AMSA metabolism. Metabolism of m-AMSA is more rapid with microsomes prepared from rats pretreated with phenobarbital or 3-methylcholanthrene. Two microsomal oxidation products of m-AMSA were isolated and identified as N1'-methanesulfonyl-N4'-(9-acridinyl)-3'-methoxy-2',5'-cyclohex adiene-1', 4'-dimine (m-AQDI) and 3'-methoxy-4'-(9-acridinylamino-2',5'-cyclohexadien-1'-one (m-AQI). m-AQDI reacts with glutathione to form a product previously identified in in vivo studies as the principal rat biliary metabolite and which is not cytotoxic to cultured L1210 cells. Thus, the end result of the microsomal metabolism of m-AMSA is detoxification. However, the two primary oxidation products (m-AQDI and m-AQI) are considerably more cytotoxic to L1210 cells in vitro than is m-AMSA. The concentration of m-AMSA required to produce a 5-log kill is 1.0 microgram/ml compared to 0.01 microgram/ml for m-AQDI and m-AQI. These results indicate that m-AMSA might undergo bioactivation to form the active cytotoxic species of the drug.

Aminoacridines↗

Spiromustine: a new agent entering clinical trials.

Spiromustine is a new alkylating agent, of interest since it was rationally designed as a lipophilic compound capable of penetrating the CNS. This lipophilicity may also enhance alkylating activity against tumors other than brain tumors. Preclinical screening has shown activity against a variety of tumors, including an intracranially implanted ependymoblastoma. Alkylating activity has been demonstrated in an intracerebral glioma in the rat. Spiromustine is a cell cycle non-specific agent. Animal pharmacology studies have shown a biphasic plasma decay curve, with hepatic metabolism and excretion, an enterohepatic circulation of metabolites, and approximately 50% renal excretion of unchanged drug. Toxicology studies in mice, rats and dogs showed that dose-related myelosuppression, and neurotoxicity predominated; other organ toxicities were mild. Spiromustine is currently entering Phase I clinical trials on a variety of schedules.

Alkylating Agents↗

Studies on the O-demethylation of misonidazole by rat liver microsomes.

The role of rat liver microsomes in the O-demethylation of misonidazole to desmethylmisonidazole was studied. The rate of the microsomal-dependent formation of desmethylmisonidazole was linear up to a protein concentration of 2 mg/ml and over a 10-minute interval. The metabolism was optimal in a system comprised of microsomes, O2, and NADPH. Metabolism in incubation mixtures continuously flushed with N2 was inhibited by 78%. The O-demethylase activity was competitively inhibited by the addition of SKF 525-A, with a Ki of approximately 1 x 10(-5) M. The Km and Vmax values of normal microsomes were 1.87 +/- 0.30 mM and 413 +/- 14 pmols/minute/mg of microsomal protein, respectively. Pretreatment of rats with phenobarbital for 7 days prior to preparation of the microsomes resulted in no significant change in the Km, but the Vmax was considerably increased to 1033 +/- 203 pmols/minute/mg of microsomal protein. The results demonstrate that the O-demethylation of misonidazole is mediated by cytochrome P-450.

Animals↗

Induction and development of mouse liver glutathione S-transferase activity.

Mouse liver glutathione S-transferase activity at birth was 1/10 that of adults, and increased steadily with each successive week of age until adult values were reached at 8 weeks. Activity was inducible with phenobarbital; however, the percentage increase in activity was dependent upon substrate. 2 distinct peaks of transferase activity were obtained on CM-cellulose chromatography. The ratios of transferase activity observed for each peak demonstrated that glutathione S-transferase activity in mouse liver is associated with at least 2 distinct proteins with differing substrate specificities.

Aging↗

Oral absorption and selective tissue localization of 4'-(9-acridinylamino)-methanesulfon-m-anisidide.

The disposition of 4'-(9-acridinylamino)-methanesulfon-m-anisidide (AMSA), a new antitumor agent presently undergoing clinical evaluation, was studied in mice and rats following oral administration and compared to that observed following intravenous administration. The metabolic fate of AMSA was the same with either intravenous or oral administration; however, the tissue distribution of AMSA differed significantly between the two routes of administration. Following absorption from the GI tract, AMSA was rapidly cleared from plasma by the liver and excreted in the bile as metabolites. Concentrations of AMSA in the liver were relatively high after oral administration and were sufficient to exert a cytotoxic effect on L1210 cells implanted at the site. The results indicate the use of AMSA orally to attain selective localization in the liver with decreased systemic exposure, which may prove useful against tumor metastases to the liver or primary hepatocellular carcinoma.

Absorption↗

Selective localization of 4'-(9-acridinylamino)-methanesulfon-m-anisidide in B 16 melanoma.

The acridine derivative 4'-(9-acridinylamino)-methanesulfon-m-anisidide (AMSA, NSC-141549), a new antitumor agent undergoing phase I clinical evaluation, is highly active against B16 melanoma in vivo. AMSA was found to be concentrated in B16 melanoma cells in vivo and remained at high concentrations for at least 72 h. Subcellular fractionation of B16 melanoma cells revealed the drug to be bound to melanin granules. The results suggest the possible use of AMSA in human melanoma and the design of other antimelanoma agents that would exploit the affinity of the acridine nucleus for melanin.

Acridines↗

Identification of the principal biliary metabolite of 4'-(9-acridinylamino)methanesulfon-m-anisidide in rats.

m-AMSA [4'-(9-acridinylamino)methanesulfon-m-anisidide] labeled in either the acridine or anilino portion was used to investigate the disposition of this antitumor agent in rats. The principal biliary metabolite, which accounts for approximately 80% of the total biliary radioactivity for 90 min after administration and greater than 50% of the administered dose by 180 min after administration, had both the acridine and the anilino portions intact. Isolation and purification of the principal metabolite was achieved by preparative thin-layer chromatography on silica gel and column chromatography on Amberlite XAD-2 resin. A nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrum of the CID salt in D2O showed that the metabolite is the m-AMSA-glutathione conjugate in which the thioether linkage occurs at the 5'-position of the anilino ring. Synthesis of the metabolite was achieved by oxidizing m-AMSA with active MnO2 to -methanesulfonyl - - (9-acridinyl)-3'-methoxy - 2',5' - cyclohexadiene-1',4'-diimine (m-AQDI) followed by reaction of m-AQDI with glutathione. The 1H-NMR spectrum of the synthetic product proved identical with that of the isolated metabolite. The demonstration that the principal biliary metabolite on m-AMSA involves glutathione bound to the 9-anilino ring suggests that m-AMSA may be bioactivated in vivo to the quinoidal diimine, m-AQDI.

Acridines↗