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Formation of tamoxifen-DNA adducts in multiple organs of adult female cynomolgus monkeys dosed with tamoxifen for 30 days.

The use of the antiestrogen tamoxifen (TAM) is associated with an increase in endometrial cancer. TAM-induced endometrial carcinogenesis may proceed through a genotoxin-mediated pathway, although the detection of endometrial TAM-DNA adducts in exposed women is still controversial. In this study, a monkey model has been used to investigate the question of TAM-DNA adduct formation in primates. Two methods have been used to determine TAM-DNA adducts: a TAM-DNA chemiluminescence immunoassay (TAM-DNA CIA), using an antiserum that has specificity for (E)-alpha-(deoxyguanosin-N(2)-yl)-tamoxifen (dG-TAM) and (E)-alpha-(deoxyguanosin-N(2)-yl)-N-desmethyltamoxifen (dG-desmethyl-TAM) and electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ES-MS/MS) coupled with on-line sample preparation and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Mature (19 year old) cynomolgus monkeys were given either vehicle control (n = 1) or TAM (n = 3) twice daily for a total dose of 2 mg of TAM/kg body weight (bw)/day for 30 days by naso-gastric intubation. Tissues were harvested, and DNA was isolated from uterus, ovary, liver, brain cortex, and kidney. By TAM-DNA CIA, values for uterine TAM-DNA adducts in two monkeys were 0.9 and 1.7 adducts/10(8) nucleotides, whereas values for ovarian TAM-DNA adducts in the same animals were 0.4 and 0.5 adducts/10(8) nucleotides. Liver, brain cortex, and kidney DNA samples from the three exposed monkeys had TAM-DNA levels of 2.1-4.2 adducts/10(8) nucleotides, 0.4-5.0 adducts/10(8) nucleotides, and 0.7-2.1 adducts/10(8) nucleotides, respectively. By HPLC-ES-MS/MS, the levels of TAM-DNA adducts detected in all tissues were comparable with those observed by TAM-DNA CIA. Thus, values for uterine TAM-DNA adducts ranged from 0.5 to 1.4 adducts/10(8) nucleotides, whereas values for ovarian TAM-DNA adducts, measurable in two monkeys, were 0.2 and 0.3 adducts/10(8) nucleotides. Liver DNA contained the highest TAM-DNA adduct levels (7.0-11.1 adducts/10(8) nucleotides), whereas brain cortex DNA contained lower adduct levels (0.6-4.8 adducts/10(8) nucleotides) and the lowest levels were measured in the kidney (0.2-0.4 adducts/10(8) nucleotides). This study indicates that cynomolgus monkeys are capable of metabolizing TAM to genotoxic intermediates that form TAM-DNA adducts in multiple tissues.

Animals↗

[Effect of tamoxifen plus octreotide on DMBA-induced mammary tumors in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To further study the antitumor effects of TAM and somatostatin (SST) analog octreotide (OCT) in vivo. METHODS: Eight weeks following dimethylbenzanthracene (DMBA, a single dose 100 mg/kg by subcutaneous injection) administration, 96 Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: control group, OCT (100 microg/kg bid for 14 weeks by subcutaneous injection) group, TAM (1 mg/kg 5 times weekly for 14 weeks by subcutaneous injection) group and OCT + TAM group. The mean latent phases of mammary tumorigenesis and incidence of mammary tumor-positive rats were observed. The number and volumes of tumors per animal were measured. The histological structures and ultrastructures of mammary samples were observed by using a light microscopy and a transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS: (1) The latent phases of mammary tumorigenesis in the TAM group and the OCT + TAM group were significantly longer than those in the control or OCT group (all P < 0.05). (2) The incidence of mammary tumor-positive rats were 70% in the control group, 52.4% in the OCT group, 45.5% in TAM group and 23.8% in the OCT + TAM group respectively, significantly longer in the three treated groups (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), and the differences between the OCT + TAM group and the OCT group or TAM group were significant (both P < 0.05). (3) The numbers of mammary tumors per rat were markedly less in the three treated groups than in the control group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), and there were significantly differences between the OCT + TAM group and the OCT group or TAM group (all P < 0.05). (4) The mean volumes of mammary tumors per rat were significantly greater in the control group (6434 mm(3)) than in the three treated groups group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), but the tumor volume in the OCT + TAM group (1285 mm(3)) was less than those in the OCT group (4366 mm(3)) or TAM group (4138 mm(3)) (P < 0.01). At 10th week of treatment the mean volume was obviously smaller in TAM group than in OCT group (P < 0.05), but at 14th week of treatment the difference was not significant (P > 0.05). (5) Histopathological examination revealed that the mammary tumors in the OCT + TAM group were more differentiated and exhibited a less aggressive phenotype, compared with the tumors growing in the control group. CONCLUSION: Both OCT and TAM inhibit the tumorigenesis and development of DMBA-induced mammary tumors, however, resistance to TAM may appear during TAM treatment. Combination of OCT and TAM has significant synergetic antitumor effect. TAM in combination with OCT may become be an efficient hormone therapy means for breast cancer patients.

9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene↗

Tamoxifen-DNA adduct formation in rat liver determined by immunoassay and 32P-postlabeling.

Tamoxifen (TAM), a nonsteroidal antiestrogen used as a chemotherapeutic and chemopreventive agent for breast cancer, induces liver tumors in rodents and covalent DNA adduct formation in hepatic DNA. Here, we report the development and validation of highly sensitive and specific immunoassays for the determination of TAM-DNA adducts. Rabbits were immunized with calf thymus DNA, chemically modified with alpha-acetoxytamoxifen to 2.4 adducts per 100 nucleotides, and the resulting antisera were characterized by competitive dissociation-enhanced lanthanide fluoroimmunoassay (DELFIA) and chemiluminescence immunoassay (CIA). Compared with DELFIA, the CIA has a much lower background and a 20-fold increase in sensitivity. For the immunogen TAM-DNA, 50% inhibition was at 2.0 +/- 0.11 (mean +/- SE, n = 18) fmol of (E)-alpha-(N2-deoxyguanosinyl)tamoxifen (TAM-dG) adduct in TAM-DNA by DELFIA. For TAM-DNA modified to 4.8 adducts in 10(6) nucleotides, 50% inhibition was at 20.6 +/- 6.6 (mean +/- SE, n = 8) fmol of TAM-dG in TAM-DNA by DELFIA and at 0.92 +/- 0.11 (mean +/- SE, n = 10) fmol of TAM-dG in TAM-DNA by CIA. No inhibition was observed in either assay with up to 20 microg (62.5 nmol of nucleotides) of unmodified DNA. The individual adducts TAM-dG and (Z)-alpha-(N2-deoxyguanosinyl)tamoxifen and the individual compounds TAM and 4-OH-TAM gave DELFIA 50% inhibitions at 828, 2229, 5440, and 8250 fmol, respectively. For assay validation, TAM-dG levels were determined by DELFIA, CIA, and 32P-postlabeling in TAM-DNA samples modified in vitro to different levels, and comparable values were obtained in all three assays. Further validation was obtained in vivo in rat liver. DNA adducts of TAM were measurable in rat liver 24 h after a single i.p. dose of 45 mg TAM/kg body weight and after daily p.o. dosing for 7 days with 5.0, 10.0, and 20.0 mg TAM/kg body weight. In addition, TAM-DNA adducts disappeared slowly over 21 days in rats on a control diet that were first given p.o. TAM at 45 mg/kg/day for 4 days. In the rat experiments, TAM-DNA adduct levels determined by CIA compared well with those determined by 32P-postlabeling, although the CIA gave an underestimation at the highest doses. For rat liver samples, the detection limit by CIA was 3 adducts per 10(9) nucleotides (0.2 fmol of adducts per 20 microg of DNA).

Animals↗

Biological responses of tamoxifen in the fetal and newborn vagina and uterus of the guinea-pig and in the R-27 mammary cancer cell line.

The biological and morphological responses of tamoxifen were studied in two models: the uterus and vagina of fetal and newborn guinea-pigs: R-27 cells--a mammary cancer cell line (tamoxifen resistant) derived from the MCF-7 cancer cell line. Tamoxifen (TAM) alone or in combination with estradiol (E2) was administered to pregnant (50-52 days of gestation) or to newborn (2-day-old) guinea-pigs for a long period (12 days). TAM alone produced a great trophic effect on the uterus and vagina which was markedly enhanced when TAM was administered together with E2. Histological studies showed that TAM provokes morphological changes in both the endometria and the myometria and this effect was also greater when TAM was administered together with E2. In the fetal uterus and vagina, the ultrastructural studies showed that TAM induces morphological alterations in different cytoplasmic organelles. This effect was much more intense in newborns where TAM provoked a significant vacuolization of the epithelial cells. Concerning progesterone receptor (PR) in the fetal or newborn tissues (uterus or vagina) TAM provoked a less intense effect than those provoked by E2, but TAM did not block the effect provoked by E2. It was observed that [3H]TAM binds specifically to the estrogen receptor (ER) of fetal guinea pig uterus and this complex is partially recognized by a monoclonal antibody which recognizes the activated form of this receptor, supporting the suggestion that the biological action of TAM is mediated by the ER. The biological and ultrastructural effects provoked by TAM (1 X 10(-6) M), estriol (E3)(5 X 10(-8) M) and the combination of TAM + E3 were studied in the R-27 mammary cancer cell line in culture. E3 stimulated the PR content by 7-10 times. However, TAM did not provoke a significant decrease in the concentration of PR, and in the mixture of TAM + E3 the concentration of PR was of the same order as that in E3 treatment. Ultrastructural observations indicate an intense concentration of ribosomes in the pericytoplasmic area after exposure to E3 and with exposure to TAM an increase in vacuoles and a significant enlargement of the size of the mitochondria were observed. It is concluded that TAM in the target tissues of fetal and newborn guinea pigs acts as a real estrogen and in the R-27 mammary cancer cell line TAM does not block the effect provoked by E3, however it does provoke intense ultrastructural modifications.

Animals↗

Hemolysis of human erythrocytes induced by tamoxifen is related to disruption of membrane structure.

Tamoxifen (TAM), the antiestrogenic drug most widely prescribed in the chemotherapy of breast cancer, induces changes in normal discoid shape of erythrocytes and hemolytic anemia. This work evaluates the effects of TAM on isolated human erythrocytes, attempting to identify the underlying mechanisms on TAM-induced hemolytic anemia and the involvement of biomembranes in its cytostatic action mechanisms. TAM induces hemolysis of erythrocytes as a function of concentration. The extension of hemolysis is variable with erythrocyte samples, but 12.5 microM TAM induces total hemolysis of all tested suspensions. Despite inducing extensive erythrocyte lysis, TAM does not shift the osmotic fragility curves of erythrocytes. The hemolytic effect of TAM is prevented by low concentrations of alpha-tocopherol (alpha-T) and alpha-tocopherol acetate (alpha-TAc) (inactivated functional hydroxyl) indicating that TAM-induced hemolysis is not related to oxidative membrane damage. This was further evidenced by absence of oxygen consumption and hemoglobin oxidation both determined in parallel with TAM-induced hemolysis. Furthermore, it was observed that TAM inhibits the peroxidation of human erythrocytes induced by AAPH, thus ruling out TAM-induced cell oxidative stress. Hemolysis caused by TAM was not preceded by the leakage of K(+) from the cells, also excluding a colloid-osmotic type mechanism of hemolysis, according to the effects on osmotic fragility curves. However, TAM induces release of peripheral proteins of membrane-cytoskeleton and cytosol proteins essentially bound to band 3. Either alpha-T or alpha-TAc increases membrane packing and prevents TAM partition into model membranes. These effects suggest that the protection from hemolysis by tocopherols is related to a decreased TAM incorporation in condensed membranes and the structural damage of the erythrocyte membrane is consequently avoided. Therefore, TAM-induced hemolysis results from a structural perturbation of red cell membrane, leading to changes in the framework of the erythrocyte membrane and its cytoskeleton caused by its high partition in the membrane. These defects explain the abnormal erythrocyte shape and decreased mechanical stability promoted by TAM, resulting in hemolytic anemia. Additionally, since membrane leakage is a final stage of cytotoxicity, the disruption of the structural characteristics of biomembranes by TAM may contribute to the multiple mechanisms of its anticancer action.

Adult↗

Regulation of estrogen receptor and epidermal growth factor receptor by tamoxifen under high and low estrogen environments in MCF-7 cells grown in athymic mice.

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether tamoxifen (TAM) treatment causes a downregulation of estrogen receptor (ER) and whether TAM induces epidermal growth factor receptor-1 (EGFR). We investigated the expression of ER and EGFR after the treatment of TAM in MCF-7 tumors grown in athymic mice under high and low estrogen environments. MCF-7 tumors were grown in ovariectomized athymic mice by implanting a sustained release 17beta-estradiol (E2) pellet. The E2 pellets were removed after 3 weeks of E2 treatment. Animals were then divided into the following 4 groups: i) an E2 (0. 72 mg/pellet) pellet [E2(+)]; ii) an E2 and a TAM (5 mg/pellet) pellets [E2(+)TAM]; iii) no treatment [E2(-)]; iv) a TAM pellet [E2(-)TAM]. A significant reduction in tumor size was observed in the estrogen-depleted group [E2(-) and E2(-)TAM] compared with the estrogen-completed group [E2(+) and E2(+)TAM]. TAM inhibited estrogen-stimulated growth in the estrogen-completed mice. No additional reduction of the tumor by TAM was observed in the estrogen-depleted mice. Both ER and EGFR protein levels in the tumors of the estrogen-depleted mice were higher than in the estrogen-completed mice. Expression of ER and EGFR protein was increased by TAM in the estrogen-completed mice, however it was decreased by TAM in the estrogen-depleted mice. Changes of ER and EGFR protein levels were similar in all treatments. Transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) in tumors, which is known as a ligand of EGFR and as an estrogen-inducible protein in ER positive MCF-7 cells, was decreased by TAM in the estrogen-completed mice, by contrast, it was increased by TAM in the estrogen-depleted mice. Downregulation of ER was observed in TAM-treated mice in an estrogen-depleted environment, this action of TAM was similar to E2. These results suggest that increase of EGFR expression does not lead to a loss of ER after short-term TAM treatment in MCF-7 tumors.

Animals↗

Quaternary ammonium-linked glucuronidation of trans-4-hydroxytamoxifen, an active metabolite of tamoxifen, by human liver microsomes and UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1A4.

Tamoxifen (TAM), a nonsteroidal antiestrogen, is the most widely used drug for chemotherapy of hormone-dependent breast cancer in women. Trans-4-hydroxy-TAM (trans-4-HO-TAM), one of the TAM metabolites in humans, has been considered to be an active metabolite of TAM because of its higher affinity toward estrogen receptors (ERs) than the parent drug and other side-chain metabolites. In the present study, we found a new potential metabolic pathway of trans-4-HO-TAM and its geometrical isomer, cis-4-HO-TAM, via N-linked glucuronic acid conjugation for excretion in humans. N+-Glucuronides of 4-HO-TAM isomers were isolated along with O-glucuronides from a reaction mixture consisting of trans- or cis-4-HO-TAM and human liver microsomes fortified with UDP-glucuronic acid and identified with their respective synthetic specimens by high performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Although N- and O-glucuronidating activities of human liver microsomes toward trans-4-HO-TAM were nearly comparable, O-glucuronidation was predominant for cis-4-HO-TAM conjugation. Only UGT1A4 catalyzed the N-linked glucuronidation of 4-HO-TAM among recombinant human UGT isoforms (UGT1A1, UGT1A3, UGT1A4, UGT1A6, UGT1A7, UGT1A8, UGT1A9, UGT1A10, UGT2B4, UGT2B7, UGT2B15, and UGT2B17) expressed in insect cells. In contrast, all UGT isoforms, except for UGT1A3 and UGT1A4, catalyzed O-glucuronidation of 4-HO-TAM. Although O-glucuronidation of 4-HO-TAM greatly decreased binding affinity for human ERs, 4-HO-TAM N+-glucuronide still had binding affinity similar to 4-HO-TAM itself, suggesting that N+-glucuronide might contribute to the biological activity of TAM in vivo.

Animals↗

Tamoxifen modulates protein kinase C via oxidative stress in estrogen receptor-negative breast cancer cells.

Nonsteroidal agent tamoxifen (Tam), a therapeutic/chemopreventive agent for breast cancer, inhibits protein kinase C (PKC), which is considered to be one of its extra-estrogen receptor sites of action. This drug is required at higher (>100 microM) concentrations to inhibit PKC in the test tube, whereas it is required at lower (1-10 microM) concentrations to induce inhibition of cell growth in estrogen receptor-negative cell types. To identify additional mechanisms of action of Tam on PKC and cell growth, studies with MDA-MB-231, an estrogen receptor-negative breast carcinoma cell type, have been carried out. Upon treatment with 5-20 microM Tam, a cytosol to membrane translocation of PKC occurred within 30 min, which was then followed by a down-regulation of the enzyme within 2 h. A transient generation of Ca2+/lipid-independent activated form of PKC was observed during this period. Rapidly growing cells require nearly 2-3-fold lower concentrations (2-5 microM) of Tam than do confluent cells to induce changes in PKC. Furthermore, phorbol ester binding observed with intact cells also decreased in Tam-treated cells only under the conditions PKC was inactivated. Unlike phorbol esters, Tam did not directly support the membrane association of PKC. The release of arachidonic acid correlated with the PKC membrane translocation. Studies carried out with [3H]Tam revealed that Tam partitioned into the membrane, and there was no appreciable covalent association of [3H]Tam with cellular proteins within this limited time period (2 h). Various antioxidants (vitamin E, vitamin C, beta-carotene, catalase, and superoxide dismutase) inhibited all these cellular effects of Tam. Moreover, vitamin E strikingly blocked Tam-induced growth inhibition. To determine whether oxymetabolites of Tam can affect PKC permanently, OH-Tam was tested with purified PKC. In contrast to Tam, which reversibly inhibited PKC, OH-Tam permanently inactivated the enzyme by modifying the catalytic domain at lower concentrations. The vicinal thiols present within this domain were found to be required to induce this inactivation. This effect was partially blocked by various antioxidants. This is the first report showing the role of oxidative stress in mediating the actions of Tam. Taken together these results suggest that Tam, by initially partitioning into the membranes, induces a generation of transmembrane signals and an oxidative stress to elicit the membrane association of PKC, followed by an irreversible activation, and subsequent down-regulation of this enzyme, which, in part, may lead to cell growth inhibition.

Animals↗

Immunohistochemical localization and semi-quantitation of hepatic tamoxifen-DNA adducts in rats exposed orally to tamoxifen.

Administration of tamoxifen (TAM) has been shown to induce hepatocellular carcinogenesis and TAM-DNA adduct formation in rat liver. Here we present TAM-DNA adduct localization and semi-quantitation in hepatic tissue of rats by immunohistochemical staining followed by image analysis. We have also used a quantitative immunoassay to provide a validation for the immunohistochemical values. Rats were fed diets containing 0, 5, 50, 150 or 500 p.p.m. TAM for 45 weeks. Serial sections of paraffin-embedded liver were stained for TAM-DNA adducts using a polyclonal TAM-DNA antiserum. Subsequently, visualization of TAM-DNA adducts was performed by peroxidase-conjugated secondary antibody-mediated signal amplification using biotinyl tyramide followed by streptavidin-alkaline phosphatase and fast red. Semi-quantitation of nuclear color intensity was achieved with an Automated Cellular Imaging System (ACIS), with a detection limit of 1 TAM-DNA adduct per 10(7) nt for these experiments. In parenchymal cells of liver sections from TAM-exposed animals a dose-dependent increase in nuclear staining was observed by ACIS and the TAM-DNA adduct levels determined by ACIS were validated in liver DNA by quantitative chemiluminescence immunoassay (CIA). Comparison of semi-quantitative values determined by ACIS with quantitative values determined by CIA showed a strong correlation (r = 0.924) between the two methods. At 45 weeks of TAM exposure the liver cytoplasm contained placental glutathione S-transferase (GST-p)-positive foci, as indicated by new fuchsin staining. Staining of serial sections revealed a relative lack of TAM-DNA adducts within these enzyme-altered foci. In addition, some GST-p foci contained islands of cells that did not stain for GST-p but were positive for TAM-DNA adduct formation. This study validates the use of ACIS for TAM-DNA adduct formation and demonstrates that steady-state TAM-DNA adduct levels observed in livers of rats chronically fed TAM for several months increase in relation to dose. In addition, unlike the normal surrounding liver, preneoplastic GST-p-positive foci have virtually no TAM-DNA adducts.

Administration, Oral↗

Cytochrome P-450 3A and 2D6 catalyze ortho hydroxylation of 4-hydroxytamoxifen and 3-hydroxytamoxifen (droloxifene) yielding tamoxifen catechol: involvement of catechols in covalent binding to hepatic proteins.

Earlier study suggested that 3,4-dihydroxytamoxifen (tam catechol), a tamoxifen metabolite, is proximate to the reactive intermediate that binds covalently to proteins and possibly to DNA (). The current study demonstrates that rat and human hepatic cytochrome P-450s (CYPs) catalyze tam catechol formation from tamoxifen (tam), 3-hydroxy-tam (Droloxifene), and 4-hydroxy-tam (4-OH-tam). Higher levels of catechol were formed from 4-OH-tam and 3-hydroxy-tam than from tam. Evidence that human hepatic CYP3A4 and 2D6 catalyze the formation of tam catechol from 4-OH-tam and supportive data that the catechol is proximate to the reactive intermediate, was obtained: 1) There was a good correlation (r = 0.82; p </=.0004) between steroidal 6beta-hydroxylase (CYP3A activity) and ortho hydroxylation of 4-OH-tam in human liver microsomes; 2) monospecific antibodies against CYP3A4 strongly inhibited catechol formation from 4-OH-tam and its covalent binding to proteins in human liver microsomes; 3) low levels of ketoconazole inhibited catechol tam accumulation and covalent binding of 4-OH-tam to human liver proteins; 4) among human P-450s expressed in insect cells (supersomes), only CYP3A4 and 2D6 noticeably catalyzed catechol formation, and cytochrome b5 markedly stimulated the CYP3A4 catalysis; and 5) human livers with high CYP3A and low or high CYP2D6 activity exhibited high catechol formation and those with low 3A and 2D6 activities formed only little catechol. These findings demonstrate that CYP3A4 and to a lesser extent 2D6 catalyze tam catechol formation and support the participation of tam catechol in covalent binding to proteins.

Animals↗

Identification of tamoxifen-DNA adducts in monkeys treated with tamoxifen.

The risk of developing endometrial cancer is increased in breast cancer patients treated with tamoxifen (TAM) and in healthy women undergoing TAM chemoprevention. We have detected previously TAM-DNA adducts in the endometrium of women receiving TAM (Shibutani et al., Carcinogenesis, 21: 1461-1467, 2000). To investigate the genotoxic damage induced by TAM in the uterus and other tissues of primates, we gave adult female cynomolgus monkeys six times the human-equivalent dose of TAM (2 mg/kg body weight/day) for 30 days. DNA samples were prepared from the uterus, ovary, liver, kidney, and brain cortex of three TAM-exposed monkeys and one control monkey and were analyzed as coded specimens. To identify the TAM-DNA adducts, we established a new high-performance liquid chromatography gradient system for (32)P-postlabeling/high-performance liquid chromatography analysis, which can resolve the trans- and cis-diastereoisomers of alpha-(N(2)-deoxyguanosinyl)TAM (dG-N(2)-TAM), alpha-(N(2)-deoxyguanosinyl)-N-desmethylTAM, and alpha-(N(2)-deoxyguanosinyl)tamoxifen N-oxide. Trans-forms of dG-N(2)-TAM and dG-N(2)-N-desTAM adducts were detected in the livers of all three TAM-fed monkeys at levels of 2.7 adducts/10(8) nucleotides and 1.7 adducts/10(8) nucleotides, respectively. The levels of dG-N(2)-TAM adducts observed in the uterus of one monkey and in the ovaries of two monkeys were approximately 10-fold lower than those observed in the livers. TAM exposure also induced dG-N(2)-TAM adduct in the brain cortex of all three monkeys with a value of 1.5 adducts/10(8) nucleotides. No TAM-DNA adducts were detected in the kidneys or in any tissues obtained from the unexposed monkey. Our results suggest that women receiving TAM may form genotoxic damage in many organs, including the reproductive organs.

Animals↗

Effects of sequential and combined immuno-endocrine therapies using OK-432 (Picibanil) and tamoxifen on the growth of 7,12-dimethylbenz [alpha] anthracene-induced rat mammary carcinoma.

Effects of sequential and combined immuno-endocrine therapies using OK-432 (Picibanil) and tamoxifen (TAM) on the growth of 7,12-dimethylbenz [alpha] anthracene (DMBA)-induced carcinoma were examined in 128 female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. The rats were divided into six groups: control (no treatment), tamoxifen, OK-432, simultaneous immuno-endocrine OK-432 and TAM (OK-432 + TAM) therapy, two types of sequential immuno-endocrine therapy of the OK-432 and TAM groups [OK-432 (1 wk)----TAM (4 wk) and OK-432 (2 wk)----TAM (3 wk)]. Each group was treated consecutively for five weeks. The response rates in the TAM alone group, the [OK-432 (1 wk)----TAM (4 wk)] group and the [OK-432 + TAM (5 wk)] group were significantly higher than in the control group. When the results among the treated groups were compared, the response rate in the [OK-432 (1 wk)----TAM (4 wk)] group was significantly higher than in the OK-432 alone or TAM alone groups. The response rate in the [OK-432 (2 wk)----TAM (3 wk)] group, however, was lower than in the TAM alone group. The response rate in the OK-432 + TAM group was, moreover, not significantly superior to that in the TAM alone group. These results suggest OK-432 not to potentiate the antitumor effect of TAM since the response rate of the combined OK-432/TAM therapy was not always significantly superior to that of the TAM treatment.

9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene↗

CYP2D6 catalyzes tamoxifen 4-hydroxylation in human liver.

The major metabolites of tamoxifen (tam) formed by animal and human liver microsomes are mono-N-demethylated tam, 4-hydroxy-tam (4-OH-tam), and tam-N-oxide. The N-desmethylated-tam and 4-OH-tam are formed by P450s, whereas the N-oxide is primarily formed by flavin-containing monooxygenase. Because 4-OH-tam is a highly potent antiestrogen (and possibly is the active anticancer tam metabolite) and is on the path of formation of the reactive intermediate that binds covalently to proteins and DNA, it was of importance to identify the P450(s) catalyzing its formation. In the current study, three different preparations of expressed human P450s in Escherichia coli, lymphoblastoma cells, and insect cell line and livers from several human donors were used to identify the P450 isoform catalyzing the 4-hydroxylation (preliminary results were reported by Dehal et al., Eleventh International Symposium on Microsomes and Drug Oxidations, p. 71. Los Angeles, 1996). Tam metabolism was examined with human CYP2C8, 2C9, 2C18, 2C19, and 2D6 expressed in E. coli. These P450s were reconstituted with P450 reductase and lipid and were incubated with 50 microM [3H]tam and NADPH at 37 degrees C for 60 min. Essentially all of the recombinant P450s catalyzed the N-demethylation to various degrees; however, only 2D6 yielded detectable levels of 4-OH-tam. The inclusion of cytochrome b5 in the reconstituted system of 2D6 and 2C9 did not significantly affect the rate of 4-hydroxylation, indicating that b5 is not essential for this activity. Tam metabolism by CYP1A1, 1A2, 2A6, 2B6, 2C8, 2C9, 2D6, 2E1, and 3A4, expressed in lymphoblastoma cells, revealed that only 2D6 significantly catalyzed the 4-hydroxylation. Tam metabolism by CYP2D6 coexpressed with P450 reductase in a baculovirus infected insect cell line ("supersomes") exhibited marked tam 4-hydroxylation. In an experiment with human liver microsomes, the inclusion of quinidine, a specific 2D6 inhibitor, resulted in approximately 50% inhibition of tam 4-hydroxylation without affecting N-demethylation. Polyclonal antibodies raised against 2D6 moderately inhibited (approximately 30%) the 4-hydroxylation in human liver microsomes. These results demonstrate a significant contribution by CYP2D6 to the catalysis of tam-4-hydroxylation by human liver.

Cytochrome P-450 CYP2D6↗

Tamoxifen sensitivity-testing of glioblastomas: comparison of in vitro and in vivo results.

BACKGROUND: Only less than half of the patients with malignant gliomas respond to a continuous high dose Tamoxifen (TAM) and/or Carboplatin (CP)-treatment. Therefore, a method for predicting the efficacy of TAM-treatment would be desirable. METHODS: Paralleling a clinical study, the predictive value of in vitro-sensitivity testing of TAM and TAM's metabolite 4-OH-TAM in primary cultures of tumour explants from 15 of a total of 50 patients was examined. Additionally, the influence of TAM, 4-OH-TAM, and CP on the proliferation of established glioblastoma cell lines and of those explanted from athymic nude mice and re-established in cell culture was investigated. Human glioblastomas xenotransplanted subcutaneously into athymic nude mice and subsequently treated with TAM and/or CP were examined in a parallel in vivo-study. FINDINGS: TAM-chemosensitivity-testing of glioblastomas failed to predict the clinical response to TAM-treatment in our patients and did not correlate with the in vivo-TAM-response of tumours xenotransplanted into nude mice. TAM's and 4-OH-TAM's ability to inhibit growth of various glioblastoma cell lines in vitro in very similar concentrations was shown to be a consistent phenomenon which seems to be independent of the in vivo response in either patients or mice as previous hosts. However, CP's antiproliferative effect on glioblastomas in vivo was paralleled by respective in vitro results. Whereas TAM showed to mediate its in vitro antiproliferative effect by inducing apoptosis in most cell lines examined, CP-treatment lead to necrosis of cells. INTERPRETATION: Combining the results obtained from our human and mouse studies, it has to be postulated that host factors other than the sensitivity to TAM of the individual cell, determine the efficacy of TAM-treatment in vivo.

Adult↗

A mechanism of drug resistance to tamoxifen in breast cancer.

Drug resistance to tamoxifen (Tam) is a significant clinical problem but the mechanism through which this occurs remains elusive. We have developed a number of xenograft models of Tam-stimulated growth that model breast cancer progression using estrogen receptor positive MCF-7 or T47D breast cancer cells. When estrogen-stimulated T47D:E2 tumors are treated long term with Tam, Tam-stimulated tumors develop (T47D:Tam) that are stimulated by both estrogen and Tam. When HER-2/neu status is determined, it is clear that the T47D:Tam tumors express significantly higher levels of HER-2/neu protein by immunohistochemistry and mRNA as measured by real-time RT-PCR. The T47D:Tam tumors also express higher levels of estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor protein than their estrogen-stimulated T47D:E2 counterparts. We compared out results to the MCF-7 model of Tam-stimulated growth. The MCF-7:Tam ST (estrogen- and Tam-stimulated) and MCF-7:Tam LT (estrogen-inhibited, Tam-stimulated) were bilaterally transplanted to account for any mouse to mouse variation and characteristic growth patterns were observed. TUNEL staining was performed on MCF-7:Tam LT treated with either estrogen or Tam and it was concluded that estrogen-inhibited tumor growth was a result of increased apoptosis. Three phases of tumor progression are described that involve increases in HER-2/neu expression, de-regulation of estrogen receptor expression and increases in apoptosis which in concert determine the phenotype of drug resistance to Tam.

Animals↗

Aging may be associated with concentrations of tamoxifen and its metabolites in breast cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: Although tamoxifen (TAM) is the predominant adjuvant therapy for estrogen receptor positive (ER(+)) breast tumors, 50% of breast cancer patients do not respond positively to this therapy, or they experience adverse side effects. This variability in TAM responsiveness may be due to differences in TAM metabolism that stem from differences in race, age, and body mass index (BMI). Thus, the purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that race, age, and BMI are associated with the metabolism of TAM to two primary metabolites, N-desmethyltamoxifen (N-DMT) and 4-hydroxytamoxifen (4-OHT). METHODS: The study design was cross-sectional, and data were analyzed using independent sample t tests and multiple linear regression models. Breast cancer patients (n = 99) taking TAM for at least 30 days were recruited from a local hospital clinic. Each participant provided informed consent, completed a questionnaire, and donated a blood sample. The questionnaire was used to ascertain race, age, and BMI. The blood samples were used to measure plasma concentrations of TAM, N-DMT, and 4-OHT. RESULTS: Plasma concentrations of TAM, N-DMT, and 4-OHT differed among individual patients. Age, but not race and BMI, was positively associated with plasma concentrations of TAM and N-DMT, even after adjustment for potential confounders (p = 0.02 for TAM and p = 0.03 for N-DMT). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that aging may alter the metabolism of TAM. As increased levels of TAM and TAM metabolites may provide a possible explanation for why older women taking TAM are at increased risk for adverse side effects, future studies should determine whether age-related differences in the concentrations of TAM and TAM metabolites are associated with differences in TAM toxicity or responsiveness.

Adult↗

Production of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxguanosine in DNA by microsomal activation of tamoxifen and 4-hydroxytamoxifen.

Using rat liver microsomal preparations, we have investigated the activation of the anti-estrogen compound tamoxifen (TAM) and its metabolite 4-hydroxytamoxifen (4-OH-TAM) to form 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OH-dG) in DNA. When reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) was used as a cofactor in microsomal activation of either TAM or 4-OH-TAM, the levels of 8-OH-dG were 3-fold higher than in microsomes plus cofactor only. In contrast, no significant increase in the level of 8-OH-dG was detected in DNA samples from microsomal activation of either TAM or 4-OH-TAM with cumene hydroperoxide as the cofactor. These results demonstrate that the microsomal activation of TAM and 4-OH-TAM to form 8-OH-dG is dependent upon the cofactor used. The addition of either EDTA or catalase to the activation system significantly decreased the formation of 8-OH-dG by TAM, but not by 4-OH-TAM. The presence of either sodium azide, superoxide dismutase or mannitol inhibited the formation of 8-OH-dG by both TAM and 4-OH-TAM. Taken together these findings indicate that microsomal activation of TAM and 4-OH-TAM with NADPH generates reactive oxygen species which result in the formation of 8-OH-dG. We propose that the formation of 8-OH-dG by TAM and its metabolites may contribute to the observed carcinogenic effects of TAM.

8-Hydroxy-2'-Deoxyguanosine↗

Decreased chicken ovalbumin upstream promoter transcription factor II expression in tamoxifen-resistant breast cancer cells.

Tamoxifen (TAM) is successfully used for the treatment and prevention of breast cancer. However, many patients that are initially TAM responsive develop tumors that are antiestrogen/TAM resistant (TAM-R). The mechanism behind TAM resistance in estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha)-positive tumors is not understood. The orphan nuclear receptor chicken ovalbumin upstream promoter transcription factor (COUP-TF)-I interacts directly with 4-hydroxytamoxifen (4-OHT)- and estradiol (E(2))-occupied ERalpha, corepressors NCoR and SMRT, and inhibit E(2)-induced gene transcription in breast cancer cells. Here we tested the hypothesis that reduced COUP-TFI and COUP-TFII correlate with TAM resistance. We report for the first time that COUP-TFII, but not COUP-TFI, is reduced in three antiestrogen/TAM-R cell lines derived from TAM-sensitive (TAM-S) MCF-7 human breast cancer cells and in MDA-MB-231 cells compared with MCF-7. ERalpha and ERbeta protein expression was not different between TAM-S and TAM-R cells, but progesterone receptor (PR) was decreased in TAM-R cells. Further, E(2) increased COUP-TFII transcription in MCF-7, but not TAM-R, cells. Importantly, reexpression of COUP-TFII in TAM-S cells to levels comparable to those in MCF-7 was shown to increase 4-OHT-mediated growth inhibition and increased apoptosis. Conversely, knockdown of COUP-TFII in TAM-S MCF-7 cells blocked growth inhibitory activity and increased 4-OHT agonist activity. 4-OHT increased COUP-TFII-ERalpha interaction approximately 2-fold in MCF-7 cells. COUP-TFII expression in TAM-R cells also inhibited 4-OHT-induced endogenous PR and pS2 mRNA expression. These data indicate that reduced COUP-TFII expression correlates with acquired TAM resistance in human breast cancer cell lines and that COUP-TFII plays a role in regulating the growth inhibitory activity of TAM in breast cancer cells.

Animals↗