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R T Dorr

Publications and source records attributed to R T Dorr.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Coat color darkening in a dog in response to a potent melanotropic peptide.

Analogues of a melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) have been documented to be effective in inducing integumental melanogenesis in several species. These melanotropin analogues are more potent than the natural hormone and have prolonged biological activity, without apparent teratogenic or other toxic effects, at least in rodents. In a pilot study, a cyclic alpha-MSH analogue, Ac-[Nle4, Asp5, D-Phe7, Lys10] alpha-MSH4-10-NH2, was administered SC to a dog at a dose of 1 mg of analogue in 1 ml of 0.9% NaCl for 3 weeks, without noticeable adverse effects. There was gradual and extensive darkening of the coat, which originally was predominantly tan, with tips of black. Initially, the darkening involved face and extremities, then gradually expanded to include the trunk and tail hair. Visual pigmentation peaked approximately 2 months after injections were completed. As new hair growth continued subsequent to the injections, the original tan color appeared at the proximal end of the hair shaft, leaving a dark terminal band on all affected hairs. These observations clearly indicated that follicular melanogenesis can be induced in dogs by treatment with a melanotropic peptide.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

2-substituted 1,2-dihydro-3H-dibenz[de,h]isoquinoline-1,3-diones. A new class of antitumor agent.

A new class of antitumor agents, having structural analogy to amonafide, but differing by the addition of a fourth ring in the nucleus, was synthesized conveniently from anthracene. Compounds with a variety of substituents, containing a basic nitrogen atom and located on the imide nitrogen, were prepared. Thirteen of 19 new compounds had greater growth inhibitory potency than amonafide in a panel of cultured murine and human tumor cells using the sulforhodamine B and MTT dye assays. The most active agents were similarly more toxic than amonafide to normal neonatal rat myocytes in vitro, but they had better chemotherapeutic indexes. From these compounds, the one with a 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl side chain (named azonafide) was chosen for further study. It showed high potency against a panel of cultured human colon cancer cells and it was active against ip P388 leukemia and subcutaneous B16 melanoma in mice. Preliminary structure-activity correlations suggest that the basicity of the side-chain nitrogen and the length of side chain are important determinants of antitumor potency in vitro. Steric hindrance and rigidity of the side chains might be other determinants.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Characterization of experimental mitoxantrone cardiotoxicity and its partial inhibition by ICRF-187 in cultured neonatal rat heart cells.

Mitoxantrone cardiotoxicity was investigated in isolated neonatal rat heart myocytes treated for 3 h in the presence or absence of the metal chelator ICRF-187. Electron microscopy studies of mitoxantrone-treated myocytes showed disorganized myofibrillar structures, swollen mitochondria, and extensive vacuolization. Cardiotoxicity, reflected as the ratio of intracellular ATP/protein and the loss of spontaneous beating, was only partially reduced by continuous ICRF-187 concentrations up to 50 micrograms/ml. ICRF-187 induced myocyte protection which was dependent on the dose and duration of exposure. ICRF-187 also reduced the cardiotoxicity of doxorubicin to a lesser extent and reduced the toxicity of a postulated cyclic mitoxantrone metabolite. However, the cardiotoxicity of ametantrone, a nonmetal-binding analogue of mitoxantrone, was unaltered with ICRF-187. The antitumor activity of mitoxantrone was unaltered by ICRF-187 in human tumor cells and in P-388-bearing mice. In addition, ICRF-187 allowed for 50% greater cumulative dosing in normal mice that, nonetheless, showed extensive histological heart damage 7 wk after dosing. These studies show that ICRF-187 provides partial protection from mitoxantrone cardiotoxicity in vitro without impairing the drug's antitumor activity in vitro or in vivo. This facilitates greater cumulative drug dosing in normal mice. The postulated mechanism of cardioprotection is metal chelation, because ICRF-187 did not alter the toxicity of a nonchelating mitoxantrone analogue.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1993

Administration of melanotropic peptides during gestation in the rodent.

A potent analogue of alpha-MSH (alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone, S-alpha-melanotropin), [Nle4,D-Phe7] alpha-MSH, induces darkening of follicular melanocytes when injected or applied topically to the skin of mice [1]. This analogue also results in increased pigmentation when injected subcutaneously (s.c.) in humans. Toxicological studies have been performed on rodent models with administration topically or by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection. No toxicity was observed and no pathological or significant biochemical changes were found. However there has been some controversy in the literature revolving around whether or not alpha-MSH is trophic for fetal growth and whether the hormone affects fetal adrenal development. These questions have been addressed in this study. All previous studies on the possible reproductive function of alpha-MSH have involved use of the natural hormone only. This is first to demonstrate the effects of the more potent analogue. The rat was used as the animal model to determine if the potent analogue of alpha-MSH affects events in gestation and embryonic fetal development and to determine if the analogue was a developmental toxicant. This study also examines the effect of a melanotropic peptide delivered directly to the conceptus in utero during organogenesis. No changes were found in the parameters examined (sex ratio, weight, morphology or histology, etc.) between treated and control fetuses. There was no evidence of premature parturition or pigmentation changes in the fetuses. The work reported in this study is of relevance if such a melanotropic peptide is to be used in women of childbearing age to induce pigmentation of the skin. Although the present results cannot necessarily be extrapolated to humans, indications are that, in rodents at least, [Nle4,D-Phe7] alpha-MSH and natural alpha-MSH have no adverse effects when administered during gestation and fetal development.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Interferon-alpha in malignant and viral diseases. A review.

In the 35 years since the discovery of interferon, significant biological activity has been described for interferon-alpha (IFN alpha) in various cancers, particularly haematological malignancies such as hairy cell leukaemia and chronic myelogenous leukaemia. Except for localised therapy in bladder and ovarian cancer, activity against most solid tumours has been disappointing. Other notable exceptions include Kaposi's sarcoma, renal cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma, tumours known to be susceptible to immunological attack. More recently, broad spectrum antiviral activity has been demonstrated for both recombinant and naturally occurring IFN alpha. Hepatitis C is responsive to IFN alpha in about 40% of patients, but long term remissions are rare. In contrast, long term suppression of hepatitis B is common following IFN alpha therapy. Both diseases respond in a dose proportional fashion, with daily doses of 5 million units (MU) significantly more effective than lower doses. The mechanism of action in viral diseases involves the expression of unique antiviral proteins such as endonuclease and 2'-5'-oligoadenylate synthetase which enhance the destruction of viral RNA. General cellular protein synthesis is also inhibited, including cytochrome P450 enzymes. This forms the basis for potential drug interactions, with IFN alpha slowing the clearance of highly metabolised drugs such as theophylline. As an antitumour agent, the mechanism of action of IFN alpha is unclear, particularly in haematological cancers. In melanoma and renal cell carcinoma, antitumour effects may be mediated by augmented immune responses including activation of natural killer lymphocytes and enhanced expression of cell surface antigens (e.g. MHC I and II). Conversely, antibody formation to recombinant IFN alpha may result in a loss of activity. This has been observed in both renal cell cancer and hepatitis B and C. The elimination half-life of IFN alpha is short, 4 to 5 hours, but biological activity extends for 2 to 3 days after administration, which facilitates daily or thrice weekly administration. Clearance of IFN alpha is mediated by catabolism in the renal tubules; no intact drug is excreted in the urine. It is probable that the antiviral indications of IFN alpha will expand as the agent is more clearly recognised as a primary endogenous defence against various viral conditions.

Drug Therapy, Combination↗
PubMed1993

The effect of anticancer drug sequence in experimental combination chemotherapy.

A series of drug combination sequence studies was conducted in vitro using HEC-1A human endometrial carcinoma cells or 8226 myeloma cells. Four drugs were evaluated for schedule-dependent and sequence-dependent inhibition of human tumor colony formation in soft agar. Six different two-drug combinations were analyzed using the median dose effect method, and three different three-drug combinations were examined using the cumulative surviving fraction method. The results show that the specific sequence and method of drug exposure significantly influenced the production of antagonistic, additive, or synergistic cytotoxicity patterns. Drug combinations that were consistently synergistic included bleomycin or mitomycin C and cisplatin in 8226 cells, and etoposide plus bleomycin in human endometrial cancer (HEC-1A) cells. Most other two-drug combinations of bleomycin, etoposide, cisplatin, and mitomycin C were antagonistic in vitro, irrespective of the sequence of exposure. Among the three-drug combinations tested, consistent synergism was noted with cisplatin, etoposide, and bleomycin when either of the latter two agents was tested as a continuous exposure in vitro. Within individual two- and three-drug combinations, it was possible to observe synergism, additivity, or antagonism based on the particular exposure sequence tested. These results suggest that antitumor agent cytotoxicity in vitro can be radically influenced by the sequence of drug administration, a feature commonly overlooked in many clinical combination drug regimens.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗
PubMed1992

Antiproliferative and antitumor activity of the 2-cyanoaziridine compound imexon on tumor cell lines and fresh tumor cells in vitro.

BACKGROUND: Imexon, a 2-cyanoaziridine, is therapeutic and reverses lymphadenopathy and splenomegaly in the LP-BM5 murine retrovirus-induced immunodeficiency disease (murine AIDS). It can restore chemotherapy-induced immunosuppression. Imexon reduced the incidence of lymphoma in severe combined immune deficient mice inoculated with human lymphocytes. PURPOSE: To determine its antitumor activity, we screened imexon against fresh human tumor cells and tumor cell lines. To determine the time-concentration relationships of its cytotoxicity, we studied the effects of imexon on macromolecular synthesis and on the cell cycle. METHODS: Imexon was incubated at 1-200 micrograms/mL with various tumor cell lines, mitogen-stimulated peripheral blood lymphocytes, and fresh tumor cells. Cell survival, macromolecular synthesis, and cell cycle progression were studied. RESULTS: The concentration of imexon that caused 50% inhibition of growth was under 10 micrograms/mL for lymphocytes stimulated with mitogens. It was about 3-10 micrograms/mL for B-cell lymphomas and both multi-drug-resistant and -sensitive myeloma cell lines. Imexon inhibited four of seven fresh lymphoma and 11 of 16 fresh myeloma biopsy specimens to less than 40% of the control. A 1-hour exposure of lymphoma cells to 50-100 microgram/mL followed by removal of drug by washing the cells and continuing culture resulted in greater than 95% inhibition during the next 48-72 hours. Imexon selectively inhibited protein synthesis during the first 24-48 hours of exposure of lymphoma and myeloma cells. Cells exposed to inhibitory concentrations of imexon were blocked in cell cycle progression. CONCLUSION: Imexon may be a potentially useful agent in the treatment of malignant disease, particularly lymphoid malignancies, and should be explored further.

Antineoplastic Agents↗
PubMed1992

Topical absorption and inactivation of cytotoxic anticancer agents in vitro.

BACKGROUND: Cytotoxic anticancer agents may pose carcinogenic or teratogenic risks to personnel who prepare or administer drugs to patients with cancer. METHODS: A series of laboratory studies were done to quantify the extent of percutaneous absorption and topical inactivation for various cytotoxic anticancer agents. Topical inactivation of anthracyclines and anthracene DNA intercalating agents was evaluated using Ames bacterial mutagenicity assays and reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography measurements. RESULTS: Drug levels passing through human abdominal skin exposed in vitro for 24 hours to 100 micrograms of daunorubicin, doxorubicin, and melphalan were negligible and typically less than the high-performance liquid chromatography sensitivity limit of 1-5 ng/ml (less than or equal to 0.001% possible absorption). Melphalan powder was recoverable from the air near a mortar and pestle used to crush 14 2-mg tablets manually; beyond 12 inches, no airborne drug was recoverable. A standard (4%) concentration of calcium hypochlorite completely inactivated the anthracyclines daunorubicin and doxorubicin but not mitoxantrone. This agent required treatment at a calcium hypochlorite concentration of 432 milligrams for complete inactivation. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, topical cytotoxic drug absorption is negligible (if it occurs at all). However, mechanical manipulations of oral formulations may present a risk of exposure to airborne drug particles. Concentrated calcium hypochlorite is extremely effective in the the topical inactivation of certain carcinogenic cytotoxic agents.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗
PubMed1992

Cardiotoxicity of mitomycin A, mitomycin C, and seven N7 analogs in vitro.

The alkylating antitumor agents mitomycin A (MMA), mitomycin C (MMC), and seven N7 analogs were compared in terms of their cardiotoxic and antitumor activity in vitro. Neonatal rat-heart myocytes were sensitive to five of the compounds studied, including MMA, 7-dimethylamidinomitosane (BMY-25282), 7-(N-methyl-piperazinyl)-mitosane (RR-194), N7-(4-iodophenyl)-MMC (RR-208), and N7-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-MMC (M-83) in order of descending molar potency. MMA and RR-208 possessed the greatest cytotoxic potency against 8226 human myeloma tumor cells in vitro. Two of the nine mitomycins studied, BMY-25282 and M-83, showed greater cytotoxic potency for heart cells. For these two agents, the ratio of the 50% inhibitory concentration in heart cells to that in 8226 myeloma cells was 50 and 32, respectively. For the other analogs, the tumor-cell cytotoxic potency was much higher (ranging from 200 to 7,000). For the nine mitomycin compounds, a correlation was found between heart-cell toxicity and low reduction potentials (E1/2 values) ranging from -0.16 to -0.37 V. Thus, as the reduction potential decreased (easier reducibility), the cardiotoxic potency in vitro increased (r = 0.81). In contrast, mitomycins with reduction potentials of higher than -0.37 V were much less potent cardiotoxins. Thus, mitomycin C (E1/2 = -0.45 V) was noncardiotoxic even when tested at concentrations 100-fold above those pharmacologically achievable in humans. Mitomycin C also failed to enhance doxorubicin (Adriamycin) cardiotoxicity in vitro. Importantly, no correlation was found between the reduction potential and the antitumor activity of the nine analogs (n = 0.51), in this small series.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1992

Bleomycin pharmacology: mechanism of action and resistance, and clinical pharmacokinetics.

Bleomycin is a glycopeptide antibiotic with a unique mechanism of antitumor activity. The drug binds to guanosine-cytosine-rich portions of DNA via association of the "S" tripeptide and by partial intercalation of the bithiazole rings. A group of five nitrogen atoms arranged in a square-pyramidal conformation binds divalent metals including iron, the active ligand, and copper, an inactive ligand. Molecular oxygen, bound by the iron, can produce highly reactive free radicals and Fe(III). The free radicals produce DNA single-strand breaks at 3'-4' bonds in deoxyribose. This yields free base propenals, especially of thymine: cytotoxicity is cell-cycle-phase specific for G2 phase. In humans, bleomycin is rapidly eliminated primarily by renal excretion. This accounts for approximately half of a dose. In patients with renal compromise or extensive prior cisplatin therapy, the drug half-life can extend from 2 to 4 hours up to 21 hours. Thus, dose adjustments are needed when creatinine clearance is less than or equal to 3N mL/min. Finally, resistance to bleomycin in normal tissues can be correlated with the presence of a bleomycin hydrolase enzyme, which is in the cysteine proteinase family. The enzyme replaces a terminal amine with a hydroxyl, thereby inhibiting iron binding and cytotoxic activity. The low concentration of enzyme in the skin and lung may explain the unique sensitivity of these tissues to bleomycin toxicity. However, correlation of hydrolase levels with tumor cell sensitivity has thus far been negative.

Bleomycin↗
PubMed1991

Lack of ranitidine effects on cyclophosphamide bone marrow toxicity or metabolism: a placebo-controlled clinical trial.

We previously reported that cimetidine but not ranitidine significantly enhances cyclophosphamide-induced bone marrow toxic effects and the appearance of cyclophosphamide alkylating species in a murine leukemia mouse model, and we advised caution in the use of cimetidine with microsomally metabolized anticancer drugs. Both drugs have been used for the treatment of gastric complications of chemotherapy. Using a randomized, double-blind, crossover study design, we have now evaluated the potential interaction of ranitidine with cyclophosphamide in seven cancer patients, who received two courses of cyclophosphamide, one with ranitidine and one with placebo. Four patients received ranitidine in the first course, and three received placebo. Ranitidine or placebo was started 3 days before a single dose of cyclophosphamide and given for 17 consecutive days. Ranitidine or placebo was given orally (300 mg/d), and cyclophosphamide (600 mg/m2) was given intravenously with [3H]cyclophosphamide (1000 muCi). Cyclophosphamide treatment was repeated at 4 weeks plus or minus 4 days. Blood samples were collected at intervals from 5 minutes to 24 hours after cyclophosphamide treatment and analyzed by thin-layer chromatography and radioassay for the drug and its metabolites. On days 0, 7, 14, and 21 after cyclophosphamide administration, complete blood cell counts, white blood cell differential counts, platelet counts, and SMA-17 were determined. The differences in mean nadir white blood cell counts, granulocyte counts, hemoglobin levels, and hematocrit values during ranitidine versus placebo treatment were not statistically significant. In a statistical but not a clinical sense, mean nadir platelet counts were significantly lower with ranitidine. There was a statistically significant increase in area under the curve for drug concentration in plasma x time (AUC) with ranitidine as well as a statistically significant decrease in the total-body clearance rate of the cyclophosphamide molecule. However, the effect on AUC for the major oncolytic metabolites 4-hydroxycyclophosphamide and phosphoramide mustard was not statistically significant. The lack of toxicologic or metabolic interaction between ranitidine and cyclophosphamide suggests that ranitidine can be used safely with cyclophosphamide.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Induction of skin tanning by subcutaneous administration of a potent synthetic melanotropin.

UNLABELLED: OBJECTIVE--To determine the efficacy of short-term administration of a synthetic analogue of alpha-melanotropin, [Nle4D-Phe7] (NDP)-alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH), in darkening (tanning) human skin. DESIGN--Randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial. SETTING--Clinical research unit of a university medical center. SUBJECTS--Twenty-eight healthy white men with a history of either poor tanning (skin type I or II) or good tanning (skin type III or IV) recruited from advertisements and paid to participate in the study. METHODS--Each subject received 10 subcutaneous injections of either a purified NDP preparation or saline over 12 days. They were followed up for 7 weeks after therapy was completed. All subjects used a high-potency sunscreen during the trial. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE--Skin darkening was quantified by serial chromaticity measurements prior to, during, and after therapy. RESULTS: -A significant parabolic curve of skin darkening activity was noted in subjects with skin type I or II (P less than .001) and with skin type III or IV (P much less than .001) who were given NDP. No darkening occurred in the subjects who were given a placebo. Peak changes were seen 1 to 3 weeks after therapy was completed. CONCLUSION--Human skin darkens as a response to a synthetic melanotropin given by subcutaneous injection. Skin tanning appears possible without potentially harmful exposure to ultraviolet radiation.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Modulation of mitomycin C-induced multidrug resistance in vitro.

A series of in vitro cytotoxicity studies were performed to achieve pharmacologic reversal of resistance to the alkylating agent mitomycin (MMC) in L-1210 leukemia cells. A multidrug-resistant (MDR), P-glycoprotein-positive cell line, RL-1210/.1 [11], was exposed to potential MDR modulators in the absence or presence of MMC. The following compounds did not reverse MMC-induced MDR: quinine, quinidine, lidocaine, procaine, dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), dexamethasone, hydrocortisone, prednisolone, estradiol, and testosterone. Three agents were capable of reversing MMC resistance: progesterone, cyclosporin A, and verapamil. The R- and S-isomers of verapamil were equipotent, although they showed a 10-fold difference in cardiovascular potency (S greater than R). Some agents produced cytotoxic effects in MDR cells in the absence of MMC, including progesterone, quinine, and quinidine. The results suggest that R-verapamil and progesterone may have clinical utility in reversing MMC resistance in human tumors. Progesterone may be uniquely efficacious due to (a) its low toxicity in normal cells, (b) its selective cytotoxicity in MDR cells (in the absence of MMC), and (c) its ability to reverse MMC resistance in vitro. The findings also suggest that the P-glycoprotein induced by MMC differs from that induced by doxorubicin, which is highly sensitive to modulation by lysosomotropic amines such as quinine and quinidine.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗