Effects of cytosine arabinoside on the cell viability and uptake of deoxypyrimidine nucleosides in L5178Y cells

Benzylacyclouridine enhances 5-fluorouracil cytotoxicity against human prostate cancer cell lines

At a nontoxic growth inhibitory concentration benzyloxyacyclouridine (BAU), a potent and specific inhibitor of uridine phosphorylase (UrdPase), enhanced 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) cytotoxic activity against human prostate cancer PC-3 and DU-145 cell lines. The BAU/5-FU combination exhibited greater antitumor activity in vivo using PC-3 human xenografts compared to 5-FU alone, with no associated increase in animal host toxicity. The mechanism(s) responsible for the enhanced in vitro and in vivo activity of this combination may involve enhanced formation of the 5-FU nucleotide metabolites FdUMP, FdUTP, and FUTP resulting in enhanced inhibition of thymidylate synthase (TS) and increased incorporation of fluoropyrimidine metabolites into tumoral RNA and DNA.

Genotoxic evaluation of Ara-C by multiple parameters

The cytogenetic effects of the antimetabolite, cytosine arabinoside (Ara-C) are evaluated using in vivo and in vitro test systems and applying multiple parameters. The in vivo assay was carried out on 8-10-week-old inbred Swiss albino male mice using bone marrow as the somatic test system and the cells of testis as the meiotic test system. In vitro human leukocyte cultures were also employed. In vivo experimental doses were computed on surface area basis within the therapeutic dose range and injected intraperitoneally and for in vitro they were calculated on blood volume basis. Evaluation of somatic chromosome mutations included conventional screening for chromosome aberrations, variations in mitotic index and sister-chromatid exchanges (SCEs) by in vivo and in vitro methods besides studies on meiotic test systems using conventional screening for chromosome and sperm-head abnormalities. The quantitative data were subjected to statistical analysis by applying appropriate tests to evaluate their significance. The results of in vivo and in vitro experiments reveal the chromosome mutational activity of the compound. This is further supported by data on SCEs from both systems. However, a comparison of both demonstrated a differential mutagenic response of the drug, more in vivo than in vitro. This is also true for SCEs. Even though the mechanisms involved in causing chromosome aberrations and SCEs are different, the data on both corroborate each other on induction of chromosome mutations.

Specific inhibition of DNA biosynthesis induced by 3'-amino-2',3'-dideoxycytidine

3'-Amino-2',3'-dideoxycytidine (3'-NH2-dCyd) produced an S-phase-specific block in exponentially growing L1210 leukemia cells. The monophosphate and triphosphate forms of the drug were detected within a few hours of 3'-NH2-dCyd treatment of intact cells. No significant change in the deoxynucleoside triphosphate levels was observed during the early stages of treatment. However, by 24 h a 2-fold increase in the amount of the deoxynucleoside triphosphates was seen. The triphosphate form of the drug competitively inhibited dCTP incorporation into calf thymus DNA using highly purified DNA polymerase alpha. The Ki was determined to be 9.6 microM with respect to dCTP. Incorporation of the analogue into DNA was not detected. On the other hand, sucrose gradient analysis suggested that incorporation of the analogue into actively synthesized DNA may account for the biological activity of this compound. Treatment with 3'-NH2-dCyd induced single-strand breaks in actively synthesized DNA, but no double-strand breaks were observed in the presence of the analogue. The data indicate that 3'-amino-2',3'-dideoxycytidine specifically interferes with DNA replication at the level of DNA polymerase by inhibiting chain elongation.

Lung organoid culture

An organoid culture system for lung cells is described in which morphogenesis of lung histotypic structures and differentiation of both pneumocytes type II and mesenchyme occur. The principle of this technique is the culture of mouse fetal lung cells at high density on a membrane filter at the medium/air interface. In the course of cultivation, cell sorting-out, epithelial cell aggregation, formation of an alveolar-like lumen in the organoids and formation of a basal lamina occur. Epithelial differentiation culminates in the production of lamellar bodies, and the mesenchyme develops into mature connective tissue. Morphogenesis and differentiation depend on the stage of fetal development from which the lung cells were derived but appear independent of the formation of a basal lamina. Various drugs have been tested for their effects on morphogenesis and differentiation in this lung organoid culture: some of them inhibit differentiation or damage the mesenchyme, others stimulate surfactant production. Due to the quite complex morphogenetic and cellular events occurring in lung organoid culture, it may be an applicable tool for alternative in vitro screening methods.

Enhancement of etoposide-induced cytotoxicity by cyclosporin A

Following the clinical observation of enhanced antineoplastic action of etoposide in the presence of cyclosporin A (CyA), we investigated this drug interaction in several in vitro and in vivo tumor systems. Macromolecular DNA damage induced by etoposide at drug levels comparable to plasma AUC values achieved in patients was increased not only in leukemic peripheral blood cells from patients but also in mononuclear peripheral blood cells from a healthy donor. Intracellular retention of radioactivity from 3H-etoposide was increased by a factor of 1.5 at the most in the presence of CyA. The cytotoxicity of etoposide and adriamycin to L 1210 leukemic cells was clearly enhanced, whereas CyA had no effect on the action of cisplatin or ionizing irradiation. At CyA blood levels not exceeding 1.44 microgram/ml, increased tumor inhibition of etoposide was observed in a human embryonal cancer xenograft, but there was also higher lethality in normal mice. We conclude from our own data and from other recent findings that with respect to chemosensitization the effects of CyA resemble those of calcium channel blockers or anticalmodulin agents. In contrast to calcium channel blockers, however, adequate plasma levels of CyA can well be achieved in patients.

5'-Deoxy-5'-methylthioadenosine phosphorylase--III. Role of the enzyme in the metabolism and action of 5'-halogenated adenosine analogs

5'-Deoxy-5'-halogenated adenosines are alternative substrates for 5'-deoxy-5'-methylthioadenosine phosphorylase (MTAPase), an enzyme responsible for the metabolism of 5'-deoxy-5'-methylthioadenosine (MTA), a by-product of polyamine biosynthesis. The relative reactivity of these nucleosides with MTAPase from HL-60 human promyelocytic leukemia cells is MTA greater than 5'-deoxy-5'-fluoroadenosine (5'-FlAdo) greater than 5'-chloro-5'-deoxyadenosine (5'-ClAdo) greter than 5'-bromo-5'-deoxyadenosine (5'-BrAdo) greater than 5'-deoxy-5'-iodoadenosine (5'-IAdo). In MTAPase-containing cells, the adenine released from the 5'-halogenated adenosine was incorporated into adenine nucleotide pools; cleavage by (MTAPase appeared to be the rate-limiting step in this process. 5'-BrAdo and 5'-IAdo were growth inhibitors (EC50 values less than 10 microM) of MTAPase-containing cell lines (HL-60 human promyelocytic leukemia and the L5178Y murine lymphoblastic leukemia) but were much less active (EC50 values greater than 65 microM) against MTAPase-deficient cell lines (the CCRF-CEM human T cell leukemia and the L1210 murine leukemia). The full cytotoxicity of these compounds, therefore, appeared to be related to their phosphorolysis by MTAPase. Indirect evidence suggests that 5-halogenated ribose-1-phosphate derivatives of 5'-BrAdo or 5'-IAdo produced by the MTAPase reaction were the active metabolites of these 5'-halogenated adenosines.

9-Deazaadenosine--a new potent antitumor agent

-Deazaadenosine (9-DAA), a novel purine analog, was found to be a potent inhibitor of the growth of nine different human solid tumor cell lines in vitro and of pancreatic carcinoma (DAN) in antithymocyte serum (ATS)-immunosuppressed mice. In culture, IC50 values ranged from 1.1 to 8.5 X 10(-8)M. Ovarian carcinoma (MR) was the only cell line in which the activity of 9-DAA was potentiated (about 10-fold) by pretreatment with the adenosine deaminase inhibitor 2'-deoxycoformycin (dCF). After incubation of cultured pancreatic DAN cells with 9-DAA (10(-5)M) for 2 hr, a peak appeared in the triphosphate region of HPLC nucleotide profiles that was identified tentatively as 9-deazaATP. Under the same incubation conditions, the incorporation of [3H]uridine into RNA and of [3H]thymidine into DNA was inhibited by 34 and 80% respectively. In vivo studies using ATS-immunosuppressed mice showed that 9-DAA at 0.4 mg/kg/day for 3 consecutive days reduced pancreatic carcinoma (DAN) tumor weights to approximately 50% of untreated controls. The nucleoside transport inhibitor p-nitrobenzyl-6-thioinosine (NBMPR) was shown to selectively protect host tissues from 9-DAA toxicity and, thereby, potentiated the antitumor activity of 9-DAA in vivo at optimal dosages.

Ribo- and deoxyribonucleoside effect on 3'-amino-2',3'-dideoxycytidine-induced cytotoxicity in cultured L1210 cells

3'Amino-2',3'-dideoxycytidine (3'-NH2-dCyd) is a potent inhibitor of the replication of cultured L1210 cells, with an IC50 of 1 microM. When ribo- and deoxyribonucleosides were examined for their effects on 3'-NH2-dCyd-induced cytotoxicity, only dCyd could both prevent and reverse these effects. Furthermore, even when the maximum increase in modal cell volume was allowed to develop (24 hr) in the presence of 2.5 microM 3'-NH2-dCyd, the addition of 25 microM dCyd to the medium containing 3'-NH2-dCyd reduced the modal cell volume nearly to control levels within 24 hr. Examination of the viability of these cells by colony formation in soft agar, following as much as a 9.5-hr exposure of 1, 2.5 and 10 microM 3'-NH2-dCyd, revealed that the lethal effects of the 3'-NH2-dCyd treatment were not observed only when 25 microM dCyd was added to the medium during this time. However, the lethality of a 24-hr exposure of 2.5 and 10 microM 3'-NH2-dCyd could not be prevented either by removal of the drug from the medium or by a 24-hr exposure of the medium containing 3'-NH2-dCyd to 25 microM dCyd. When the effect of 3'-NH2-dCyd on DNA biosynthesis in L1210 cells was examined, it was found that radiolabeled dAdo incorporation decreased by approximately 60, 80 or 90% following a 2.5-hr exposure to 2.5, 10 or 20 microM 3'-NH2-dCyd respectively. The addition of 25 microM dCyd under the same conditions resulted in a greater amount of dAdo incorporation compared to the unrescued cultures. Deamination of 3'-NH2-dCyd by partially purified human cytidine-deoxycytidine deaminase was about 2.5% that of either Cyd or dCyd deamination. The deaminated derivative, 3'-amino-2',3'-dideoxyuridine, was significantly less cytotoxic even at 50 microM.

A randomized prospective comparison of intermittent methotrexate, methotrexate with leucovorin, and a methotrexate combination in head and neck cancer

A randomized prospective clinical trial involved 259 cases of advanced recurrent Stage III and IV epidermoid cancers of the head and neck. The cases were randomized among three treatment programs evaluating two dose schedules and a combination treatment of methotrexate. The treatments consisted of: weekly methotrexate, biweekly methotrexate with leucovorin rescue (ML), and biweekly ML combined with cyclophosphamide and cytosine arabinoside (MLCC). Equivalent overall drug-related toxicity was produced with a 5% drug-related fatality rate. Methotrexate alone produced significantly more skin and mucosal toxicity, and the combination (MLCC) resulted in more hematologic toxicity than other treatments. Complete and partial objective responses were achieved in 26%, 24%, and 18% by each treatment. Methotrexate alone produced a median duration of response and 105 days compared with 42 and 49 days from the other treatments. Duration of response was significantly longer and survival was better in the methotrexate-alone group. Response was markedly stage dependent; 40% of Stage III patients achieved response, whereas only 17% of Stage IV patients responded. Presence of visceral metastases decreased response rates and the likelihood of response was particularly compromised by pulmonary metastatic spread; only seven of 54 such patients responded. Decreased survival was related to non-ambulatory performance status, disease-free intervals of less than one year and weight loss. Survival differences between Stage III and IV patients could not be shown. This study demonstrates the therapeutic superiority of weekly i.v. treatment with methotrexate but failed to support claims of an improved therapeutic index for high-dose methotrexate with leucovorin rescue. As the only randomized prospective clinical trial of chemotherapy in advanced head and neck cancer, this study reinforces the weekly i.v. schedule of methotrexate as the standard against which other drug schedules and drug combinations should be compared.

The development of alkaline phosphatase activity in limb buds of mouse embryos in vitro and its relation to chondrogenesis

The development of alkaline phosphatase (aPh) activity and chondrogenesis were studied in the limb buds of mouse embryos (day 11 p.c.) that had been grown in an organ culture. During a 12-day culture period an increase in aPh activity to more than 40 mU/limb bud was measured from day 2 in vitro onward. Depending on the time of application, aPh formation can be inhibited by certain substances. Cytosine-arabinoside inhibits aPh activity when the substance is added on day 2, 3, or 4. Chondrogenesis, on the other hand, is affected on days 1, 2, and 3 and to a lesser degree on day 4. Actinomycin D interferes with aPh activity after its addition on day 1, 2, 3, or 4. Chondrogenesis is only inhibited when the drug is applied on the 1st, 2nd, or to a lesser degree on the 3rd day. Cycloheximide inhibits aPh formation on all days of treatment, but to a lesser degree on days 5 and 6; chondrogenesis is most influenced on days 2, 3, and 4. On day 6 of the culture period, aPh activity can be demonstrated histochemically only in the region of humerus and proximal parts of radius and ulna. Alterations in the distal cartilage skeleton, therefore, do not influence the activity data. A prerequisite for an increase in aPh activity is cartilage growth in the proximal part of the limb buds and subsequent induction of a perichondral cell population to proliferation and differentiation.

The effect of cytosine arabinoside on platelet aggregation

Platelet aggregation induced by ADP, collagen, epinephrine, and thrombin was studied in patients with acute leukemia in complete remission, before and after a continuous 5-day intravenous infusion of cytosine arabinoside at a dose of 100 mg/m2 per day. Aggregation was also measured in normal subjects with cytosine arabinoside added in vitro. Cytosine arabinoside had no significant effect on platelet aggregation after either in vitro or in vivo administration.

Treatment of leukemia with large doses of methotrexate and folinic acid: clinical-biochemical correlates

Patients with acute leukemia were given repeated cycles consisting of infusions of methotrexate followed by "rescue" with folinic acid. Peripheral blood leukemic cells were harvested from patients before cyclical treatment, and the rates of incorporation of thymidine and of deoxyuridine into deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) were measuared in vitro. There was no relationship between the pretreatment incorporation of either deoxynucleoside into DNA and the clinical response to therapy. Methotrexate suppressed deoxyuridine incorporation into DNA by the leukemic blasts in vitro, but the patients whose cells were most sensitive to this effect did not necessarily go into remission when treated. Leukemic cells were sampled during methotrexate infusions and the deoxynucleoside incorporation rates were determined. Thymidine incorporation into DNA was variably affected. If, by the end of the first infusion, it remained elevated, remission rarely followed, whereas if it was below the pretreatment value, remission was much more likely. In all cases, deoxyuridine incorporation was suppressed during the infusion. The greatest suppression occurred in patients who went on to remission, but the suppression did not correlate with that expected from pretreatment in vitro tests unless due weight was given to the concomitant effects of the methotrexate therapy on thymidine incorporation. Leukemic blasts surviving successive cycles of therapy became progressively more resistant to the suppressing effects of methotrexate in vitro. This resistance became especially marked in the blasts of patients who did not go into remission. During methotrexate infusions, inhibition of leukemic cell dihydrofolate reductase activity was greatest in blasts of patients whose disease subsequently remitted.