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Biomedical subjects

P Hilgard

Publications and source records attributed to P Hilgard.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Highly sensitive northern hybridization of rare mRNA using a positively charged nylon membrane.

The effect of different RNA fixation methods using Hybond-N and Hybond-N+ nylon membranes in Northern blot experiments was analyzed with human glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase and human interleukin-3 receptor alpha-subunit as radioactive labeled DNA probes. Highest sensitivity could be achieved by mild alkaline fixation of RNA to positively charged Hybond-N+ nylon membrane. Fixation by UV light resulted in reduced sensitivity in comparison with alkaline treatment. Fixation of RNA to Hybond-N or -N+ membranes by baking for 2 h at 80 degrees C resulted in a strong decrease in sensitivity and should be avoided when using modified nylon membranes in Northern hybridizations.

Blotting, Northern↗

The antitumor activity of the platinum complex D-17872 is associated with tumor cell differentiation.

The novel cisplatin analogue D-17872 was studied for its anticancer activity using in vivo and in vitro preclinical models. The compound at the sublethal dose of 215 mg/kg (ca. 50% of the approximate LD50) induced no nephrotoxic effect strong enough to increase the blood urea level in rats. It had good in vivo antitumor efficacy against murine P388 (max. ILS: D-17872 132%, cisplatin 55%) and L1210 leukemia (max. ILS: D-17872 43%, cisplatin 38%), L5222 leukemia of the rat (max. ILS: D-17872 163%, cisplatin 163%) and murine B16 melanoma. Activity against P388 leukemia substantially exceeded that of cisplatin. Moreover, the M5076 reticulum cell sarcoma implanted into the subrenal capsule and the DMBA-induced mammary tumor of the rat were inhibited by D-17872 to a greater extent than by cisplatin (min. T/C: D-17872 -3%, cisplatin 11%). Using clonogenic microassays, D-17872 was active in vitro against a variety of human and rodent tumor cell lines, albeit at higher concentrations than cisplatin (IC50 values: D-17872 2.6-12.7 mumol/l, cisplatin 0.13-0.42 mumol/l). Apart from its cytotoxic action it was able to induce in vitro differentiation of the human HL-60 and K562 and of the murine M1-T22 cell lines, while cisplatin induced differentiation only in the HL-60 cell line. Thus D-17872 exhibited a pharmacological and toxicological profile different from that of the parent compound. The results suggest that induction of differentiation contributes to the antineoplastic efficacy of this novel cisplatin derivative.

Animals↗

Antineoplastic activity and tolerability of a novel heterocyclic alkylphospholipid, D-20133.

Octadecyl-[2-(N-methylpiperidinio)ethyl]-phosphate (OMPEP, D-20133), a heterocyclic analogue of hexadecylphosphocholine (MIL), has been synthesized in an attempt to increase the therapeutic range of the parent compound. The antineoplastic activity of the novel alkylphospholipid was compared with that of MIL in dimethylbenz(a)anthracene-induced mammary carcinoma of the rat. Using tumors of different sizes and repeated daily doses as well as high single doses, we achieved marked remissions with either compound. However, the therapeutic range of OMPEP was broader than that of the parent drug. Furthermore, the emetic potential of OMPEP tested on ferrets was distinctly less pronounced than that of MIL. In vitro the new alkylphospholipid proved to be more active than MIL in all cell lines tested, and its differentiation-inducing capacity turned out to be superior to that of MIL. No hematological toxicity was observed at various OMPEP doses during a 3-week treatment period.

9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene↗

Evidence for abrogation of oncogene-induced radioresistance of mammary cancer cells by hexadecylphosphocholine in vitro.

Hexadecylphosphocholine (HePC), an experimental and clinical antitumour agent of the alkyllysophospholipid group, was tested for its radiosensitising effect on a panel of nine human mammary cancer cell lines in vitro. Growth inhibition by ionising radiation and recovery from it were not influenced by pretreatment with HePC in most cases, except for two cell lines expressing an activated ras oncogene. In the latter we found an enhanced radioresistance that was abolished by pretreatment with HePC. Our results suggest that HePC may act as a radiosensitiser for cells carrying an activated ras oncogene.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

Treatment of experimental DMBA induced mammary carcinoma with Cetrorelix (SB-75): a potent antagonist of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone.

Cetrorelix, (Ac-D-Nal(2)1, D-Phe(4Cl)2, D-Pal(3)3, D-Cit6, D-Ala10)-LHRH (SB-75) is a new highly potent antagonist of LH-RH. In the model of DMBA-induced mammary carcinoma, this antagonist was very effective in reducing tumor mass. A rapid decrease in tumor weights to levels below 0.1 g total tumor mass was achieved with 300 micrograms/kg given sc. daily for 14 days. The weights of uteri and ovaries were reduced to about 40-50% of control values. In all treated rats the estrus cycle was interrupted and the animals remained in a state of anestrus. Microscopically, the effects of Cetrorelix on the tumors were characterized by a loss of mitotic activity, marked regression with apoptosis, an increase of stroma and differentiation towards a normal mammary architecture. On the basis of a dose-response curve, a dose of 100 micrograms/kg/d of Cetrorelix was determined as sufficient for a full antitumor response. Large DMBA-tumors with total tumor mass of about 6 g could also be treated very effectively with a dose of 100 micrograms/kg/d. To achieve a complete tumor regression, the treatment had to last 34 days. After the cessation of treatment with 100 micrograms/kg/d and regrowth of the tumors the animals were treated with the agonist Decapeptyl (Trp6-LHRH) using a dose of 50 micrograms/rat/d for 14 days. Again, the tumors responded well and regressed within 10 days. The treatment with an overlapping dose schedule of Cetrorelix and Decapeptyl showed a continuous antitumor response. A transient stimulation of tumor growth by the LH-RH agonist was not observed under these experimental conditions. In ovariectomized rats bearing DMBA-tumors, treatment with Cetrorelix and estradiol, produced no tumor growth inhibition as compared to estradiol control group, indicating that there is no estrogen nullifying effect of this antagonist on tumor cells in this model. On the basis of these results, Cetrorelix is a highly effective antitumor agent in this breast cancer model, which might also be useful under clinical conditions.

9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene↗

Platelet aggregation inhibiting and anticoagulant effects of oligoamines, XVI: Cytostatic and cytotoxic side effects of oligoamines.

Selected synthetic oligoamines were able to inhibit (IC50) the growth of leukemic L 1210 cells in concentrations between 4-10 mumol/L. The essential structural features were at least two basic nitrogen functions in suitable distance, substituted with arylalkyl or alkyl groups. The favorable chain length is about eight carbon atoms. The cytostatic effect is complete after 30 min and cannot be washed out with buffer. Viability measurements showed that the leukemic cells were killed in a time dependent manner. As no influence on the cell nucleus could be observed this is most probably due to interaction with the cell membrane. When high local concentrations are applied in vivo, the oligoamines are toxic because of cytolytic properties. This toxicity can be overcome by administration of suitable prodrugs (LD50 greater than 1000 mg/kg).

Animals↗

Investigation into the immunological effects of miltefosine, a new anticancer agent under development.

Miltefosine is the prototype of alkylphosphocholines, a new class of anticancer agents related to alkyl-lysophospholipids. These agents were considered to possess potent immunomodulatory properties. Miltefosine was highly active against the human KB tumour xenograft in nude mice, leading to growth inhibition as well as regression of large established tumours, which suggested that its mode of action was not mediated by the T cell system. In vivo natural killer cell activity was measured by chromium release of YAC-1 cells using spleen cells from treated animals as effector cells. Miltefosine had no significant effect on YAC-1 cytolysis. Similarly, the compound did not induce cytotoxic spleen cells against KB target cells. The results were identical when spleen cells from tumour-bearing animals were used. Humoral antibody production in rats following sheep red blood cell immunization was not changed by miltefosine pretreatment. Finally, the in vitro phagocytic activity of mouse bone marrow macrophages was not stimulated but rather inhibited in a dose-dependent manner. In conclusion, there is no experimental evidence that the miltefosine action is mediated by the host immune system and no major immunotoxicity was observed.

Animals↗

Biotransformation of mafosfamide in P388 mice leukemia cells: intracellular 31P-NMR studies.

The intracellular transformation of cis-mafosfamide has been studied in P388 mice leukemia cells using 31P-NMR spectroscopy. For this purpose the cells were entrapped in low-gelling-temperature agarose threads. Internal pH of the cells, determined from the position of the intracellular inorganic phosphate, was 7.2. The cell membrane was permeable to 4-hydroxycyclophosphamide and aldophosphamide and less permeable to phosphoramide mustard. 4-Ketocyclophosphamide and carboxyphosphamide signals were not detectable in cells either sensitive or resistant to oxazaphosphorine treatment.

Animals↗

Protection from ifosfamide-induced alopecia by topical thiols in young rats.

An animal model for testing substances that might prevent alopecia induced by oxazaphosphorines has been developed. It is based on the fact that the rat pups experience virtually total hair loss following administration of oxazaphosphorines. Using this model, we showed that epicutaneous treatment with sodium thioglycollate prevented ifosfamide-induced hair loss on the treated area. These experiments indicate that prevention of oxazaphosphorine-induced alopecia in man may be achieved by topical thiols.

Administration, Cutaneous↗

D-19466, a new cyclobutane-platinum complex with antitumor activity.

D-19466, a new platinum complex, was characterized. It showed no nephrotoxic side-effects as determined by the measurement of blood urea. It was cytotoxic in vitro for tumor cells in concentrations comparable to or lower than cytotoxic concentrations of cisplatin. It had excellent anticancer activity in vivo against a number of murine experimental tumors, including a cisplatin-resistant P388 line. Clinical evaluation of this compound has therefore been initiated.

Animals↗

Hexadecylphosphocholine in the topical treatment of skin metastases in breast cancer patients.

Widespread local recurrence of breast cancer, untreatable by surgery or radiation therapy, can present a serious therapeutic problem predominantly in patients refractory to systemic therapy. In a phase I trial hexadecylphosphocholine, a new agent with high membrane affinity and antineoplastic activity was applied topically to affected skin areas of breast cancer patients. The results provide evidence that hexadecylphosphocholine may be an active agent in the topical treatment of skin metastases.

Administration, Topical↗

Coagulant and fibrinolytic activities of a metastasising and non-metastasising tumour line.

The two types of transplantable methyl cholanthrene induced fibrosarcoma in rats was used to find out the possible relationship between the fibrinolytic, procoagulant activities and the metastasizing capacity of the tumours. The highly metastatic tumour seems to possess high fibrinolytic activity as compared to the low metastatic one. Interestingly enough, it was found that the procoagulant and fibrinolytic activities in the highly metastasising tumour bear inverse relationship with each other in relation to time of tumour growth. The procoagulant activity of the tumour bypasses factor VII and acts at factor X level. The plasminogen activator present in the tumour tissue has been characterized by sephadex G-200 column chromatography and PAGE.

Animals↗