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J A Double

Publications and source records attributed to J A Double.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Nucleoside analogs. 14. The synthesis of antitumor activity in mice of molecular combinations of 5-fluorouracil and N-(2-Chloroethyl)-N-nitrosourea moieties separated by a three-carbon chain.

5-fluorouracil (5-FU) seco-nucleosdies having as the "sugar" moiety a two-carbon (C2) side chain carrying a N-(2-chloroethyl)-N-nitrosourea group were designed as molecular combinations of antimetabolite and alkylating agent, but hydrolytic release of free 5-FU was not fast enough for significant contribution to the high activity they showed against colon and breast tumors in mice. In the present study of the synthesis of the more reactive C3 seco-nucleosides, it emerged that, of various groups attached to the aldehydic center in the precursor phthalimides, only the alkoxy/uracil-1-yl type was conveniently obtained by the standard method. The methylthio/uracil-1-yl analog required relatively large amounts of reagent methanethiol, and exploration of alternatives involving alpha-chlorination of alkyl methyl sulfide or Pummerer rearrangement of its S-oxide, or successive hydrolysis and methylation of isothiouronium bromide, gave disappointing yields. For successful preparation of the alkoxy/uracil-3-yl compounds, the route used for C2 homologs required considerable experimental modification. In addition to these O,N- and S,N-acetals, some N,N-acetals bearing two 5-FU residues were prepared. The new drugs have been tested against a panel of experimental tumors in mice. Although it is evident from a parallel study that even these C3 seco-nucleosides release free 5-FU too slowly in vivo, several of them have shown impressive anticancer activity. Reviewing their performance in comparison with earlier molecular combinations, a short list of seven [B.4152 (6), B.4015 (5), B.4030 (10), B.3999 (4), B.3995 (2), B.4083 (3), and B.3996 (the N 3-substituted analog of 1)] should be investigated further. This is particularly appropriate in light of the present understanding of the mode of action of chloroethylating agents. Following a prolonged period of clinical impatience with nitrosoureas because of limited selectivity action, a new era is confidently anticipated as these powerful drugs are increasingly studied in combination with O6-benzylguanine and other more efficient inhibitors of repair enzymes like O6-alkylguanine-DNA-alkyltransferase now being developed.

Animals↗

Synthesis and antitumour activity of new derivatives of flavone-8-acetic acid (FAA). Part 1: 6-Methyl derivatives.

A range of 17 derivatives of flavone-8-acetic acid (FAA) with a 6-methyl substituent have been prepared and their anti-tumour activity evaluated in vitro against a panel of human and murine tumour cell lines and in vivo against MAC 15A. While many of the compounds show activity comparable to FAA in vitro, this essentially disappears in vivo, possibly due to degradation before the compounds can reach the tumour site.

Animals↗

Preclinical evaluation of novel imidazoacridinone derivatives with potent activity against experimental colorectal cancer.

Novel imidazoacridinone derivatives, C1310 and C1311, have been evaluated for their potential to inhibit tumour cell growth in vitro and in vivo. A cell line panel, including seven human and murine colon carcinoma cell lines and three in vivo models, was used. The compounds were found to be potent inhibitors of tumour cell growth with IC50 values ranging between 10 nM and 2 microM in human colon cancer cell lines. Statistically significant tumour growth delay (P < 0.01) was observed after a single intraperitoneal (i.p.) dose of C1311 (100 mg kg-1 body weight) in MAC15A, MAC29 murine and HT29 human adenocarcinomas of the colon. Rapid accumulation of fluorescence of both C1310 and C1311 was seen in the nuclei of HT29 human colon tumour cells in culture. C1311 was also found to bind into calf thymus DNA as shown by spectrophotometric titration and thermal denaturation and to cause early inhibition of thymidine incorporation in HT29 cells in vitro. The results of this study suggest that C1311 should be considered as a candidate for clinical development.

Adenocarcinoma↗

The activity of doxorubicin niosomes against an ovarian cancer cell line and three in vivo mouse tumour models.

Demonstration of the improved doxorubicin pharmacokinetics and tumoricidal activity, after a single intravenous dose of 10mg kg-1 doxorubicin sorbitan monostearate (Span 60) based niosomes in the mouse adenocarcinoma (MAC) tumour model (Uchegbu et al., 1995) preceded the present study in which the activity of doxorubicin C16G2 (a hexadecyl diglycerol ether) based niosomes was evaluated against naive and established MAC tumour models. C16G2 niosomes were equiactive with doxorubicin solution. It is concluded that while in some tumour models, niosomal formulations demonstrate some advantages over the free drug, caution is advocated in the extrapolation of these results. The activity of doxorubicin C16G2 and Span 60 niosomes was also studied against a human ovarian cancer cell line and its doxorubicin resistant subline. There was a slight reduction in the IC50 against the resistant cell line when the drug was encapsulated in Span 60 niosomes in comparison to the drug in solution. Taking into account the in-vitro release characteristics of the various niosomal formulations, it is concluded that the use of niosomal formulations against multidrug resistance shows sufficiently encouraging results to warrant further study.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Distribution, metabolism and tumoricidal activity of doxorubicin administered in sorbitan monostearate (Span 60) niosomes in the mouse.

PURPOSE: Encapsulation of doxorubicin in niosomes was sought as a route to tumour targeting and improved tumoricidal through the alteration of doxorubicin pharmacokinetics and metabolism. METHODS: Doxorubicin niosomes (10 mg kg-1 doxorubicin) prepared from sorbitan monostearate (Span 60), cholesterol and choleth-24 (a 24 oxyethylene cholesteryl ether) in the molar ratio 45:45:10 were administered intravenously to female NMRI mice bearing the MAC 15A subcutaneously implanted tumour. Plasma doxorubicin was fractionated by gel filtration and quantified by HPLC with fluorometric detection as niosome-associated doxorubicin and released doxorubicin. Tumoricidal activity of the formulation was assessed by the intravenous injection of 5 mg kg-1 and 10 mg kg-1 doxorubicin niosomes to male NMRI mice bearing a 6 day old MAC 15A tumour. RESULTS: At least 90% of the plasma doxorubicin was associated with the niosome fraction 4 h after dosing, and 50% was still associated after 24 h. The clearance of doxorubicin released from the niosomes was about 10 fold greater than the clearance of niosomal doxorubicin (176.5 mL h-1 and 16.2 mL h-1, respectively). The area under the plasma level-time curve increased 6 fold when doxorubicin was administered in niosomes, compared to doxorubicin solution (66.0 micrograms.h mL-1 and 10.3 micrograms. h mL-1, respectively). The area under the tumour level time curve was increased by over 50% by the administration of doxorubicin in niosomes when compared to the drug administered in solution (58.6 micrograms.h mL-1 and 34.3 micrograms.h mL-1, respectively). There was no statistically significant difference between levels of the drug in the heart when niosomal doxorubicin or doxorubicin solution were administered. Doxorubicin metabolites, namely doxorubicinol and the aglycones doxorubicinone, doxorubicinolone and 7-deoxydoxorubicinone, were found associated with the niosomes in the plasma, possibly due to their adsorption to the vesicle surface once formed outside the niosome. Overall metabolite levels in the liver were increased when doxorubicin niosomes were administered compared to the drug in solution. A 5 mg kg-1 injection of doxorubicin niosomes produced a terminal mean tumour weight that was similar to that obtained from animals administered 10 mg kg-1 doxorubicin solution. CONCLUSIONS: Modest tumour targeting was achieved by the delivery of doxorubicin in sorbitan monostearate niosomes, increasing the tumour to heart AUC0-24 ratio from 0.27 to 0.36 and a doubling of tumoricidal activity. The overall level of doxorubicin metabolites was also increased.

Animals↗

EO9: relationship between DT-diaphorase levels and response in vitro and in vivo.

EO9 [3-hydroxy-5-aziridinyl-1-methyl-2(1H-indole-4,7-dione)-prop-beta-en- alpha-ol] was selected for clinical trial in Europe because of its preclinical profile but also because of its distinct mechanism of bioactivation. Several studies have shown that cells rich in DT-diaphorase may be particularly sensitive to EO9. The present study examined the relationship between DT-diaphorase activity and sensitivity to EO9 in a panel of cell lines largely derived from human and rodent leukaemias/lymphoma and solid tumours. A possible relationship between chemosensitivity and enzyme activity was demonstrated (correlation coefficient 0.796). A number of the human cell lines were established as xenografts in nude mice but, with the exception of HT29, DT-diaphorase specific activity was greatly reduced compared with the corresponding cell lines. These data suggest that in vitro studies of bioactivation of drugs by specific enzymes is unlikely to be relevant for the same tumour in vivo. Except for HCLO, all xenografts failed to respond to EO9 as a single dose. HT29 tumours in vivo had similar DT-diaphorase activity [359 nmol of 2,6-dichlorophenol-indophenol (DCPIP) reduced per min per mg of protein] to the cell line (337) but failed to respond to a single dose or daily dose schedule. A preliminary attempt to investigate an hourly dose schedule demonstrated a modest anti-tumour effect accompanied by enhanced toxicity. Attempts to optimise EO9 exposure parameters to potentiate activity in tumours with high DT-diaphorase activity are under way, but as yet the relevance of this particular enzyme for in vivo EO9 activity requires further investigation.

Animals↗

Preclinical in vitro and in vivo activity of 5,6-dimethylxanthenone-4-acetic acid.

5,6-Dimethylxanthenone-4-acetic acid (5,6-MeXAA) is a fused tricyclic analogue of flavone acetic acid (FAA) which was developed in an attempt to improve on the activity of FAA. Previous studies have shown 5,6-MeXAA to be curative in 80% of mice bearing colon 38 tumours and 12 times more dose potent than FAA. This investigation has demonstrated that a murine colon tumour cell line (MAC15A) is approximately 60 times more sensitive to 5,6-MeXAA than to FAA, although these differences were not seen in three human cell lines tested. 5,6-MeXAA caused significant blood flow shutdown and haemorrhagic necrosis in subcutaneous MAC15A tumours in syngeneic and nude hosts, but measurable changes in tumour volume were seen only in syngeneic hosts. 5,6-MeXAA was inactive against intraperitoneal MAC15A but produced significant anti-tumour effects against the same cell line inoculated via an intravenous route. FAA has been shown previously to be inactive in this model. Interestingly, the effects against lung colonies were not accompanied by obvious necrotic changes, suggesting that they may be the result of increased direct cytotoxicity rather than an indirect host mechanism. Further studies to investigate the effects against systemic tumour deposits are under way.

Animals↗

Characterisation of the vasculature within a murine adenocarcinoma growing in different sites to evaluate the potential of vascular therapies.

Numerous vaso-active agents can affect vasculature in experimental solid tumours growing subcutaneously (s.c.), but these models are unlikely to reflect the vasculature of metastatic disease in man. The present study describes a murine orthotopic colon tumour which metastasises to the liver. Morphology and vascular pattern of caecal tumours is similar to s.c. tumours. Vascular occlusion caused by intravenous (i.v.) noradrenaline (NA) (160 micrograms kg-1) and hydralazine (HDZ) (10 mgkg-1) was 32% and 59% respectively for the caecal tumours compared with 35% and 78% for s.c. tumours. Significant morphological differences were seen between liver metastases and systemic deposits produced by i.v. inoculation of tumour cells. Liver metastases following orthotopic transplantation contained functional vasculature but no significant occlusion was seen with NA or HDZ. The vascular development and morphological appearance of secondary disease resulting from orthotopic implantation suggests that this would be a useful model for the study of agents that act either by vascular or anti-angiogenic mechanism.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Drug distribution and a pulmonary adverse effect of intraperitoneally administered doxorubicin niosomes in the mouse.

Niosomes (non-ionic surfactant vesicles) prepared from C16G2 (a hexadecyl-diglycerol ether), and loaded with doxorubicin, were administered intraperitoneally to male AKR mice at dose levels of 0, 2.5, 5.0, and 10.0 mg kg-1. Free drug was given at 10.0 mg kg-1 by the intraperitoneal route. At a dose level of 10.0 mg kg-1, peak doxorubicin levels in the central compartment were attained faster with the free drug than with the niosome formulation. However, the peak plasma levels were similar for the free drug and the niosome preparation at the 10 mg kg-1 dose level. With doxorubicin administered as the niosome preparation by the intraperitoneal route at 2.5, 5.0, and 10.0 mg kg-1, mean peak plasma concentrations of the drug showed a tendency to be dose-related although the differences were not significant. Over the 24 h period of the experiment, with doxorubicin at 10 mg kg-1, the niosome formulation delivered significantly more drug to the plasma compartment than the free drug (p < 0.05). When doxorubicin was given in niosomes at 2.5, 5.0 and 10.0 mg kg-1 by the intraperitoneal route, the resulting levels of doxorubicin in cardiac tissue were not dose related and the differences not significant and, although the mean peak cardiac-tissue concentration was higher in animals receiving the free drug at 10.0 mg kg-1 intraperitoneally than in mice given intraperitoneal doxorubicin niosomes at this dose level, the differences were again not significant. There were clinical signs of toxicity in mice given doxorubicin-containing niosomes intraperitoneally at 5.0 and 10.0 mg kg-1, and at post-mortem an accumulation of fluid in the pleural cavity was evident. These changes were not seen in mice dosed intraperitoneally with free drug at 10 mg kg-1, or in animals given doxorubicin niosomes intraperitoneally at 2.5 mg kg-1. In mice dosed intraperitoneally with doxorubicin niosomes at 12.0 mg kg-1 and at a dose volume of 0.2-0.4 mL, histological examination of the lungs demonstrated a congestion of the alveolar capillaries, and an increased number of acute inflammatory cells in the alveolar walls. There was no histological evidence of lung toxicity in mice dosed with doxorubicin niosomes at 12.0 mg kg-1 when the formulation was administered with the higher dose volume of 1.8-2.0 mL. Importantly there was no histological evidence of lung toxicity in mice dosed with empty niosomes intraperitoneally or with doxorubicin niosomes given intravenously at 12.0 mg kg-1.

Analysis of Variance↗

Antineoplastic activity of alkylphosphocholines (APC) in human breast carcinomas in vivo and in vitro; use of liposomes.

This study examines the in vitro and in vivo activity of alkylphosphocholines (APC) in experimental human breast carcinomas. Three analogs, hexadecylphosphocholine (HPC), octadecylphosphocholine (OPC) and eicosanylphosphocholine (EPC) were investigated. Three hormone receptor negative cell lines were sensitive to all three APCs in vitro whereas the receptor positive MCF-7 line was more resistant. Sensitivity was seen in 4/6 hormone receptor negative tumors in vivo, with HPC being the most active analog. There were no antitumor effects in the four receptor positive models. The reasons for these differences in response between hormone receptor negative and -positive lines are not yet understood and require further study. Gastrointestinal toxicity and hemolysis, the major side effects of the APCs, were reduced by the use of liposomal preparations.

Administration, Oral↗

Potentiation of EO9 anti-tumour activity by hydralazine.

EO9[3-hydroxy-5-aziridinyl-1-methyl-2(1H-indole-4,7-dione)prop-bet a-en-alpha-ol] has been selected for phase I evaluation in Europe. Activity has been seen previously in a highly refractory, necrotic mouse adenocarcinoma (MAC 16) but EO9 is shown here to be inactive against early tumours (MAC 15A and MAC 13) and a well vascularised, well-differentiated established adenocarcinoma (MAC 26). EO9 becomes active against MAC 26 tumours when hydralazine (10 mg/kg) is administered 1 min after EO9. Co-administration of hydralazine decreases EO9 plasma clearance and increases plasma area under the curve values (0.053 to 0.115 micrograms h/ml). These pharmacokinetic changes are accompanied by anti-tumour activity but no increase in bone marrow toxicity so this therapeutic gain may be due, at least in part, to microenvironmental changes resulting from hydralazine induced tumour vascular shutdown.

Adenocarcinoma↗

EO9: a novel bioreductive alkylating indoloquinone with preferential solid tumour activity and lack of bone marrow toxicity in preclinical models.

EO9 is a novel and fully synthetic bioreductive alkylating indoloquinone. Although structurally-related to mitomycin C, EO9 exhibits a distinct preclinical antitumour profile and there are also differences in its biochemical activation. In this study, EO9 was found to demonstrate preferential cytotoxicity against solid tumours in vitro as compared to leukaemia cell lines both in the Corbett two-tumour assay and in the disease-oriented human tumour cell line panel of the U.S. National Cancer Institute. In the latter system activity was particularly apparent in colon, melanoma and central nervous system lines, together with some renal and non-small cell lung lines. Preferential cytotoxicity towards hypoxic versus aerobic EMT6 mouse mammary tumour cells was observed. In vivo, EO9 was inactive against the P388 murine leukaemia, while exerting significant antiproliferative effects against several murine and human solid tumours, including the generally resistant MAC mouse colon tumours and gastric, ovarian and breast xenografts. These results confirmed in vitro observations of preferential solid tumour activity. In animal toxicology studies, EO9 induced vascular congestion in the gastrointestinal tract, but no significant bone marrow toxicity. The LD10 value of EO9 after a single intravenous injection into mice was 9 mg/kg (27 mg/m2). A dose of one-tenth of the mouse equivalent LD10 (2.7 mg/m2), the recommended starting dose for clinical phase I studies, was found to be safe in rats. Considering its distinct mechanism of bioactivation as compared to mitomycin C, its preferential solid tumour activity, its excellent activity against hypoxic cells, and lack of significant bone marrow toxicity in animals studies, EO9 has been selected for clinical evaluation within the framework of the EORTC.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Flavone acetic acid--from laboratory to clinic and back.

Flavone acetic acid ester (NSC 293015, LM 985) emerged from a series of flavonoids from Lyonnaise Industrielle Pharmaceutique (Lipha) screened by the National Cancer Institute. LM 985 showed modest but sufficient activity in the P388 pre-screen to progress to secondary evaluation on the solid colon 38, where significant activity was seen. On the basis of this particular profile LM 985 was selected by the Cancer Research Campaign (CRC) UK for phase I clinical trial. It was not recommended for phase II trial because of drug associated hypotension and the fact that it appeared to act as a pro-drug for flavone acetic acid (NSC 347512, LM 975, FAA) which was shown to be responsible for the dramatic solid tumor activity in mice. This was manifested as dramatic hemorrhage necrosis and involves a complex mechanism of action. FAA proceeded to clinical trial but unfortunately no anti-tumor activity was seen. A large amount of effort has been channelled into identifying the mechanisms of action of FAA in mice and it is clear that activity relies on a number of factors. Subcutaneous tumors respond dramatically whereas ascites tumors and tumor deposits in other sites are usually less responsive. Establishment of a tumor blood vasculature system appears necessary for response and adequate drug concentrations within a therapeutic window are necessary. From the large body of information available at present the most likely explanation for discrepancies in activity between mouse and man seems to relate to differences in the ability of the immune system to respond to FAA, although variation in the composition of the vasculature cannot yet be ruled out. Analogs of this type of compound are worth pursuing but it is necessary to examine them in appropriate model systems in order to predict for possible clinical activity.

Animals↗

Nucleoside analogues. 13. The effect on anti-tumour activity of varying the uracil 5-substituent and the point of attachment (N1 or N3) of the uracil moiety in seco-nucleoside nitrosoureas.

The high activity against colon tumours in the mouse of nitrosoureas linked to seco-nucleosides with 5-fluorouracil or uracil as base component led us to synthesize and test similar drugs carrying other 5-substituted uracils attached by either N1 or N3. Not only were some of the new drugs active against the solid MAC 13 and against mammary and lung tumours, but unlike earlier compounds were particularly effective (especially N3 and alkoxy drugs like B.4083) against the ascitic MAC 15A, causing some cures. Further, these agents are valuable tools in the study, using modern techniques, of bifunctional alkylation of biological macromolecules, a vital principle of experimental cancer chemotherapy about which our knowledge is still very incomplete.

Animals↗

Pharmacokinetics and cytotoxicity of B.3839, a molecular combination of 5-fluorouracil and N-(2-chloroethyl)-N-nitrosourea, in a mouse model.

B.3839 is the prototype compound in a series of novel molecular combinations of chloroethylnitrosoureas and 5-fluorouracil(5-FU) and has been tested against MAC tumours in mice. Previous studies have shown it is moderately active against MAC15A and highly active against MAC13 though this activity is dependent on route of administration. The aim of this study was to determine whether bioavailability could explain this difference in anti-tumour activity. Plasma levels of B.3839 and 5-FU after i.p. and oral administration were measured using HPLC. Non tumour-bearing and MAC26 bearing mice gave almost identical plasma profiles after i.p. administration with the Cmax being 29.8 and 30.4 micrograms ml-1 and t1/2 16 and 15 min. The AUCs were 15.3 and 13.9 micrograms h ml-1 suggesting tumour load had no influence over plasma levels. Oral administration gave a much lower Cmax of 8.0 micrograms ml-1 but an AUC of 15.2 micrograms h ml-1 due to a longer terminal t1/2 (94 min) giving 99% bioavailability. Levels of 5-FU release from B.3839 by either route were considered too small to influence anti-tumour activity. Cytotoxicity assays in vitro against the MAC lines gave IC70 values of 5.3, 13.8 and 8.6 micrograms ml-1 for MAC 26, 13 and 15A respectively after a one hour exposure. Bone marrow toxicity was shown to be less severe than that of TCNU which is currently in clinical trials. The results show bioavailability alone is not enough to explain tumour response. There appears to be a need for a threshold concentration (C) to be maintained for a period of time (t).

Administration, Oral↗

DT-diaphorase activity correlates with sensitivity to the indoloquinone EO9 in mouse and human colon carcinomas.

The indoloquinone EO9 exhibits promising in vitro and in vivo antitumour activity. EO9 is metabolised to DNA damaging species by DT-diaphorase in vitro. In the present study DT-diaphorase specific activity was 16 fold higher in the mouse adenocarcinoma MAC 16, a tumour which is quite responsive to EO9 in vivo, compared with levels in the more resistant mouse adenocarcinoma MAC 26. This order of responsiveness is the reverse of that seen with the most active of the clinically used agents in these tumours [chloroethylnitrosoureas and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)]. In addition, when the in vitro sensitivity of two human colon carcinoma cell lines was compared, EO9 was 15-30 fold more active in the DT-diaphorase rich HT29 line than in the enzyme-deficient BE cell line counterpart. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that DT-diaphorase expression may be a major determinant of the sensitivity of tumours to EO9. This should be considered in the clinical development of the drug.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Influence of hydralazine on the pharmacokinetics of tauromustine (TCNU) in mice.

Several investigators including ourselves have shown that hydralazine can potentiate the anti-tumour activity of certain agents against murine tumours probably by manipulating tumour blood flow. In order to investigate the effects of administration of hydralazine on systemic and tumour drug concentrations, we have examined the plasma and tissue pharmacokinetics of the recently developed nitrosourea, Tauromustine (TCNU). The effect of hydralazine on glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in mice was also examined using inulin single injection plasma clearance. An active dose of TCNU (30 mg kg-1) was administered intravenously into non-tumour bearing NMRI mice or mice bearing MAC 15A or MAC 26 subcutaneous tumours. Plasma and tissue levels of TCNU were measured by HPLC. Hydralazine significantly increased (P less than .005 in all cases) the AUCs and decreased the plasma clearance of the drug. Inulin plasma clearance was decreased from 0.258 +/- 0.046 ml min-1 to 0.096 +/- 0.017 ml min-1 (a factor of 2.69) after administration of hydralazine. This decrease in GFR would explain the increased plasma half-lives of a renally cleared drug. It is likely that the increased AUC values are partly responsible for the improved anti-tumour activity of TCNU when administered with hydralazine, but the impact of these findings on toxicity needs to be established.

Adenocarcinoma↗