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Biomedical subjects

R H Shoemaker

Publications and source records attributed to R H Shoemaker.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Discovery of cyanovirin-N, a novel human immunodeficiency virus-inactivating protein that binds viral surface envelope glycoprotein gp120: potential applications to microbicide development.

We have isolated and sequenced a novel 11-kDa virucidal protein, named cyanovirin-N (CV-N), from cultures of the cyanobacterium (blue-green alga) Nostoc ellipsosporum. We also have produced CV-N recombinantly by expression of a corresponding DNA sequence in Escherichia coli. Low nanomolar concentrations of either natural or recombinant CV-N irreversibly inactivate diverse laboratory strains and primary isolates of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 as well as strains of HIV type 2 and simian immunodeficiency virus. In addition, CV-N aborts cell-to-cell fusion and transmission of HIV-1 infection. Continuous, 2-day exposures of uninfected CEM-SS cells or peripheral blood lymphocytes to high concentrations (e.g., 9,000 nM) of CV-N were not lethal to these representative host cell types. The antiviral activity of CV-N is due, at least in part, to unique, high-affinity interactions of CV-N with the viral surface envelope glycoprotein gp120. The biological activity of CV-N is highly resistant to physicochemical denaturation, further enhancing its potential as an anti-HIV microbicide.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1996

Reversal of multidrug resistance by transduction of cytokine genes into human colon carcinoma cells.

BACKGROUND: Multidrug resistance can be a major obstacle to successful cancer chemotherapy and is often associated with increased expression of the mdr1 (also known as P-glycoprotein) gene. Some of the proteins produced by the body's immune system, i.e., cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) and interleukin 2 (IL-2), have been shown to modulate multidrug resistance. However, cytokines administered by the conventional intravenous method can cause severe side effects. Transduction of cytokine genes into tumor cells constitutes an alternative approach for production and release of the cytokine proteins in the local tumor microenvironment, which may reduce problems of toxicity associated with systemic administration. PURPOSE: In this study, we investigated the therapeutic potential of a combination of gene therapy and chemotherapy on the basis of cytokine-mediated modulation of multidrug resistance in human colon carcinoma cells. METHODS: Human colon carcinoma cell lines HCT15 and HCT116 were transduced with TNF or IL-2 carrying murine leukemia virus (MLV)-based retroviral vectors. Tumor cell clones were analyzed for cytokine expression by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and by cytokine-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (TNF-ELISA or IL-2-ELISA). Expression of mdr1 messenger RNA (mRNA) was investigated using RT-PCR, and P-glycoprotein (Pgp) expression was determined by immunoflow cytometry with the monoclonal antibodies MRK16 and C219. The function of Pgp was analyzed by measuring accumulation of the fluorescent drug doxorubicin by flow cytometry. The XTT-(i.e., [2,3-bis(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)]-5-[(phenylamino)-carbon yl-2H- tetrazolium hydroxide]-colorimetric cytotoxicity assay was used to determine chemosensitivity of cytokine gene-transfected tumor cells to doxorubicin and vincristine. Statistical significance was determined by the nonparametric Mann-Whitney rank sum test for the flow cytometry experiments (Pgp detection as well as drug uptake assays) and the parametric Student's t test for the chemosensitivity assay (XTT cytotoxicity assay). All P values reported were derived from two-sided statistical tests. RESULTS: Transduction and expression of human TNF and IL-2 in HCT15 and HCT116 human colon carcinoma cell lines were found to reverse multidrug resistance. Both TNF and IL-2 secretion reduced mdr1 expression on the mRNA and Pgp levels (P < .0243). This result was associated with enhancement of doxorubicin accumulation within the cells (P < .0001). The cytokine-mediated effects on mdr1 expression resulted in increased chemosensitivity of the transduced cells to doxorubicin and vincristine (P < .0460). CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: We show that endogenous expression of cytokine genes in tumor cells and after transduction secretion of the related proteins, such as TNF and IL-2, can modulate multidrug resistance in vitro. This modulation enhances the susceptibility of the cells to the cytotoxic drugs. Our findings suggest the potential value of combined treatment of resistant tumors with gene therapy and chemotherapy.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗
PubMed1996

Two serologic markers to monitor the engraftment, growth, and treatment response of human leukemias in severe combined immunodeficient mice.

We have investigated human lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) isoenzymes and human nuclear matrix protein 41/7 (NMP 41/7) as potential serologic markers to monitor the course of human leukemia in severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice. Following the transplantation of 10(6) human acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) Nalm-6 cells, human specific LDH isoenzymes were measurable in the serum of SCID mice as early as 7 days after transplantation, although serum total LDH increased in some animals as early as 5 days after transplantation. Human NMP 41/7 was measurable in all animals at day 15 after leukemia cell injection. Serum levels of total LDH, human specific LDH and NMP 41/7 increased progressively over time, reaching total LDH levels as high as 50,000 U/L at day 25 after transplantation. To determine whether the levels of LDH and NMP 41/7 in serum were a reflection of human tumor burden, we studied these serologic markers in SCID mice bearing measurable subcutaneous human neuroblastoma tumors, or compared the serum levels of these markers with the number of human leukemia CD10+ cells in the bone marrow of the SCID mice. The serum levels of total LDH, human specific LDH isoenzymes, and NMP 41/7 correlated well with tumor burden, and they drastically decreased or disappeared from serum after the human leukemia or neuroblastoma cells were selectively killed with a single intravenous (IV) injection of 1 to 3 micrograms diphtheria toxin (DT) (the cellular receptor for DT is present on human cells, but not on mouse cells). Paraplegic mice with central nervous system leukemia completely recovered after DT treatment. We conclude that measurements of serum levels of total LDH, human LDH isoenzymes, and NMP 41/7 are sensitive, quantitative, rapid, and easy to perform serologic methods useful to monitor the engraftment, progression, and treatment response of human leukemia in SCID mice.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Overlapping phenotypes of multidrug resistance among panels of human cancer-cell lines.

In addition to P-glycoprotein (Pgp), 2 proteins related to multidrug resistance (MDR) have recently been described. The Multidrug-Resistance-associated protein (MRP) is one of the ATP-binding-cassette (ABC) transporters. The Lung-Resistance Protein (LRP) is the major component of human vaults, which are newly described cellular organelles and thought to mediate intracellular transport processes. Using immunocytochemical methods, we have examined the expression of MRP and LRP among panels of human cancer-cell lines not selected for drug resistance which have been previously characterized for expression of Pgp, and in vitro response to a variety of anti-cancer drugs. Expression of MRP and LRP was observed in 47/55 (87%) and 46/59 (78%) cell lines, respectively. Statistically significant correlations were observed between expression of each of these 3 proteins and in vitro sensitivity to at least one drug classically associated with MDR. LRP showed the greatest individual predictive value, which also applied to several non-classical MDR drugs. Co-expression of 2-3 MDR-related proteins was observed in 64% of the lines and was, in general, associated with high relative levels of drug resistance. Previously identified "classic" MDR lines as well as "pan-resistant" lines concurrently expressed all 3 MDR-related proteins. Some highly drug-resistant cell lines without detectable MDRI/Pgp were found to express relatively high levels of MRP and LRP. The high prevalence of MRP and LRP expression observed in this large set of cell lines, which have not been subjected to laboratory drug selection, suggests that MDR mechanisms associated with these proteins may be widespread in human malignancies. Moreover, the overlapping of these more recently recognized MDR phenotypes with Pgp-type MDR results in a complex phenotype, the understanding of which may be of importance in the development of new drugs and design of clinical treatment protocols, particularly those seeking to employ strategies to reverse the MDR phenotype.

ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters↗
PubMed1996

Relationship of LRP-human major vault protein to in vitro and clinical resistance to anticancer drugs.

Multidrug resistance (MDR) has been related to two members of the ABC-superfamily of transporters, P-glycoprotein (Pgp) and Multidrug Resistance-associated Protein (MRP). We have described a 110 kD protein termed the Lung Resistance-related Protein (LRP) that is overexpressed in several non-Pgp MDR cells lines of different histogenetic origin. Reversal of MDR parallels a decrease in LRP expression. In a panel of 61 cancer cell lines which have not been subjected to laboratory drug selection, LRP was a superior predictor for in vitro resistance to MDR-related drugs when compared to Pgp and MRP, and LRP's predictive value extended to MDR unrelated drugs, such as platinum compounds. LRP is widely distributed in clinical cancer specimens, but the frequency of LRP expression inversely correlates with the known chemosensitivity of different tumour types. Furthermore, LRP expression at diagnosis has been shown to be a strong and independent prognostic factor for response to chemotherapy and outcome in acute myeloid leukemia and ovarian carcinoma (platinum-based treatment) patients. Recently, LRP has been identified as the human major protein. Vaults are novel cellular organelles broadly distributed and highly conserved among diverse eukaryotic cells, suggesting that they play a role in fundamental cell processes. Vaults localise to nuclear pore complexes and may be the central plug of the nuclear pore complexes. Vaults structure and localisation support a transport function for this particle which could involve a variety of substrates. Vaults may therefore play a role in drug resistance by regulating the nucleocytoplasmic transport of drugs.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗
PubMed1996

Vincristine induction of mutant and wild-type human multidrug-resistance promoters is cell-type-specific and dose-dependent.

To investigate multidrug-resistance gene (MDR1) promoter efficacy and drug inducibility in cells with different multidrug-resistance phenotypes, multidrug-resistant HCT15 and drug-sensitive KM12 human colon carcinoma cell lines were transfected with constructs incorporating the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) reporter gene, driven by wild-type and point-mutated MDR1 promoter regions. The basal CAT expression level in HCT15 cells was markedly elevated compared to KM12 cells. CAT induction by vincristine was dose-dependent over a broad concentration range (40-500 ng/ml) in both lines. The induction levels were related to the cells' MDR phenotype, with the multidrug-resistant HCT15 cells showing the greater effect. In both cell types, basal and drug-induced CAT expression were significantly enhanced by the point-mutated promoter regions. The findings support the possible exploitation of the MDR1 promoter for construction of drug-inducible and MDR-cell-targeted expression vectors for use in gene therapy.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗
PubMed1996

MDR1 gene expression: evaluation of its use as a molecular marker for prognosis and chemotherapy of bone and soft tissue sarcomas.

Successful chemotherapeutic treatment of malignant tumours is often limited by the intrinsic or acquired multidrug resistance (MDR). The classical MDR phenotype is characterised by reduced drug accumulation within the cell, caused by overexpression of the MDR1 gene encoded P-glycoprotein. Some reports have been published evaluating MDR1 expression as a molecular marker for response to chemotherapy in human bone and soft tissue sarcomas. In this review, an attempt is made to summarise the accuracy of the measurement of MDR1 expression for use in prognosis, as well as in decisions on chemotherapeutic treatment of sarcomas. In addition, general problems for the performance of such studies is discussed.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗
PubMed1996

Cytotoxic falcarinol oxylipins from Dendropanax arboreus.

The crude organic extract of Dendropanax arboreus was selected as a candidate for bioassayguided fractionation on the basis of its relatively selective cytotoxicity to a subset of cell lines within the National Cancer Institute's disease-oriented in vitro tumor-screening panel. The major compound responsible for the in vitro cytotoxicity was falcarinol (1). Several other known compounds were isolated and found to be cytotoxic, including dehydrofalcarinol (2), a diyenne (3), falcarindiol (4), and dehydrofalcarindiol (5). In addition, two novel polyacetylenes, dendroarboreols A (6) and B (7), were isolated and characterized by standard and inverse-detected NMR methods. Compounds were selected from this series for absolute stereochemical determination using the modified Mosher method and preliminary in vivo evaluation using a LOX melanoma mouse xenograft model.

Alkynes↗
PubMed1996

Modulation of mdr1 expression by cytokines in human colon carcinoma cells: an approach for reversal of multidrug resistance.

Reversal of multidrug resistance (MDR) may offer a means of increasing the effectiveness of tumour chemotherapy. A variety of recent evidence indicates that cytokines may be particularly useful in this endeavour. To investigate the molecular mechanism by which cytokines may sensitise multidrug-resistant colon carcinoma cells, HCT15 and HCT116, to treatment with MDR-related drugs, we evaluated the effects of the human cytokines tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha), interleukin 2 (IL-2) and interferon gamma (IFN gamma) on mdr1 gene expression at the mRNA level by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and at the protein level with monoclonal antibodies by immuno flow cytometry. P-glycoprotein function was examined after accumulation of the fluorescent drug, doxorubicin, by flow cytometry. Chemosensitivity to doxorubicin and vincristine was analysed using the XTT assay. All three cytokines were found to modulate the MDR characteristics on mdr1 expression levels, P-glycoprotein function and measured chemosensitivity to MDR-associated anti-cancer drugs. This cytokine-induced reversal of MDR was strongly time dependent, with maximal effects after 48 and 72 h of cytokine treatment. If similar modulation of MDR phenotype can be obtained in in vivo models, it may be possible to verify the time course for modulation by cytokine treatment and to design appropriate clinical trials of this strategy for MDR reversal.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗
PubMed1996

Biological and biochemical anti-human immunodeficiency virus activity of UC 38, a new non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor.

UC 38, a simple analog of oxathiin carboxanilide, UC 84, lacking the oxathiin ring, was found to be a potent inhibitor of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1-induced cell killing and HIV replication in a variety of human cell lines, as well as in human peripheral blood lymphocytes and macrophages. UC 38 was active against a wide range of biologically diverse laboratory and clinical strains of HIV-1. However, UC 38 was inactive against HIV-2 and both nevirapine- and pyridinone-resistant strains of HIV-1. UC 38 selectively inhibited HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT), but not HIV-2 RT. Combination of UC 38 with 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine synergistically inhibited HIV-induced cell killing. An HIV-1 isolate resistant to UC 38 was selected in cell culture, and the mutations in the RT nucleotide sequences were determined. Comparison with the wild-type RT sequence revealed an amino acid change at position 181 (Tyr to Cys). The UC 38-resistant virus was found to be cross-resistant to a variety of structurally diverse non-nucleoside RT inhibitors. UC 38 was susceptible to rapid degradation in vitro and in vivo; yet, nontoxic in vivo concentrations of UC 38 many-fold in excess of the in vitro effective concentrations could be achieved and maintained after s.c. or p.o. administration in hamsters. These results establish UC 38 as a new chemotype within the general class of HIV-1-specific RT inhibitors. The favorable physical characteristics, lack of toxicity, potency and bioavailability of UC 38 may make it a candidate for combination chemotherapy of acquired immune deficiency syndrome.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Comparative antitumor activities of halichondrins and vinblastine against human tumor xenografts.

Halichondrin B and homohalichondrin B are novel tubulin-interacting agents isolated from marine sponges. The in vivo antitumor activities of these compounds were examined in human tumor models in immunodeficient mice and rats. In nude mice, regression or pronounced delay of subcutaneous tumor growth was obtained with both halichondrins, at a maximum tolerable dose of 20 micrograms/kg Q2Dx5, in three of four vinblastine-sensitive tumors, including two melanomas and one osteosarcoma; one small-cell lung cancer line was resistant. The halichondrins as well as vinblastine showed only marginal activity against KM20L colon carcinoma xenografts. In a LOX melanoma lung colony formation assay in groups of six nude mice, all control animals were sacrificed because of respiratory symptoms 38 days after cell injection, and likewise one vinblastine-treated mouse after 53 days. All halichondrin-treated mice in the lung colony assay appeared healthy throughout an observation period of 112 days (p = 0.002). Upon necropsy all vinblastine-treated animals, and two of six mice in the halichondrin group, had macroscopic lung tumor colonies. In a nude rat model for LOX bone marrow metastases, the mean lifespan of untreated control animals was 15 days. Whereas vinblastine had only a marginal effect (17 days) in this model, halichondrin B prolonged the lifespan of the animals to 32 days, representing a significant (p = 0.0016) difference between the two compounds. In conclusion, the halichondrins, which comprise a subtype of tubulin-interactive anti-mitotic agents, showed distinct antitumor activity profiles in human tumor models, thereby encouraging their further preclinical development and possible clinical evaluation.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Antitumor activity and stereochemistry of acetylenic alcohols from the sponge Cribrochalina vasculum.

Antitumor bioassay-guided fractionation of the organic extract of the marine sponge Cribrochalina vasculum resulted in the isolation of several closely related cytotoxic acetylenic alcohols [1-8], the structures of which were assigned on the basis of chemical and spectral studies. 3-Hydroxyeicos-(4E)-en-1-yne[1], 3-hydroxydocosa-(4E,15Z)-dien-1-yne[2], 3-hydroxy-16-methyleicos-(4E)-en-1-yne[3], 3-hydroxy-19-methyleicos-(4E)-en-1-yne[4], 3-hydroxy-21-methyldocosa-(4E,15Z)-dien-1-yne [5], and 3-hydroxy-14-methyldocosa-(4E)-en-1-yne [6] are enantiomers of known compounds, while 3-hydroxyheneeicos-(4E)-en-1-yne [7] and 5-hydroxy-16-methyleicos-(3Z)-en-1-yne [8] are new metabolites isolated as minor components. The absolute configuration of C-3 in 1-7 and C-5 in 8 has been assigned as S using the modified Mosher's method. Compounds selected from this series showed selective in vitro antitumor activity against the H-522 non-small cell lung line and the IGROV-1 ovarian line. Synthetic racemic 1 demonstrated a modest dose-related therapeutic activity in a preliminary in vivo xenograft assay based on the latter cell line.

Alkynes↗
PubMed1994

Anticancer specificity of some ellipticinium salts against human brain tumors in vitro.

Novel structure-activity relationships (SAR) distinct from known SAR for ellipticines have been revealed for certain ellipticinium salts. In particular, ellipticiniums such as the prototypical 9-methoxy-2-methylellipticinium (I- or OAc-) were found to be preferentially cytotoxic to the brain tumor cell line subpanel of the NCI 60 cell-line screening panel. Similar specificity also was apparent with 9-unsubstituted ellipticiniums, or others bearing 9-methyl or 9-chloro substituents. In contrast, 9-hydroxy-substituted ellipticiniums, as well as all nonquaternized ellipticines tested, were devoid of brain tumor specificity. Therefore, it did not appear that this unusual preference was correlated with the relative availability of redox cycling mechanisms, since redox cycling presumably is blocked in 9-methyl- and 9-chloroellipticiniums. Indeed, related investigations have indicated that the brain tumor specificity is mediated by preferential uptake and intracellular accumulation of the specific ellipticiniums. The present study further supports that the NCI in vitro "disease-oriented" primary screen can facilitate the discovery of novel, selectively cytotoxic leads for in vivo and mechanistic investigations.

Brain Neoplasms↗
PubMed1993

Chloroquinoxaline sulfonamide: a sulfanilamide antitumor agent entering clinical trials.

Chloroquinoxaline sulfonamide (CQS) has been developed to the clinical trial stage based on its activity in the Human Tumor Colony Forming Assay (HTCFA). In the HTCFA, CQS demonstrated inhibition of colony formation against breast, lung, melanoma and ovarian carcinomas. The mechanism of action of CQS is unknown. It does not appear to inhibit folate metabolism as does the structurally similar sulfaquinoxaline. Preclinical toxicology studies in dogs and rats have shown that CQS is toxic to lymphoid organs, bone marrow, gastrointestinal tract, pancreas, CNS, adrenal glands and testes. Toxicity was generally reversible with the exception of testicular atrophy in dogs and rats which occurred late and was not reversible within the study time frame. The pharmacokinetic data indicate that CQS binds to serum proteins in a dose and species specific manner. Terminal half-lives appear to vary between species from 60 hours in mice, 15 hours in rats, and 45-132 hours in dogs. Preliminary data indicate a longer terminal half-life in humans. Two phase I trials are ongoing using a 60 min infusion schedule once every 28 days. The starting dose for each trial was 18 mg/m2.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Two new cytotoxic chalcones from Calythropsis aurea.

The crude extract of Calythropsis aurea (Myrtaceae) produced a pattern of differential cytotoxicity in the NCI 60 cell line assay which was similar to those of known tubulin-interactive compounds. Cytotoxicity-guided fractionation led to the isolation of two new chalcones, calythropsin [1] and dihydrocalythropsin [2], which were responsible for the activity. Calythropsin was demonstrated to have a weak effect on mitosis, and presumably also on tubulin polymerization.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Evaluation of metastatic human tumor burden and response to therapy in a nude mouse xenograft model using a molecular probe for repetitive human DNA sequences.

A sensitive DNA dot-blot assay for repetitive human DNA sequences was developed and applied to the quantitative determination of spontaneous metastases of a human melanoma in various tissues of nude mice. The assay was useful for defining the time course and pattern of tissue distribution of metastatic cells as well as for assessing response to therapy. The methodology is relatively simple, can be performed using nonradioactive DNA probes, and should be broadly applicable to studies of metastasis of human tumors in nude mice.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Evaluation of in vitro drug screening leads using experimental models of human ovarian cancer.

Five compounds which were identified as potential new anticancer drugs in in vitro screening with the human tumor colony forming assay were selected for further evaluation using in vitro and in vivo models of human ovarian cancer. Three of five compounds were found to inhibit in vitro colony formation of ovarian cancer cell lines derived from both untreated and combination chemotherapy refractory patients. One compound was also found to prolong survival in a human ovarian carcinoma xenograft model system. This compound, chloroquinoxaline sulfonamide, was selected for development and has shown preliminary indication of activity in phase I clinical testing.

Animals↗