Hexadecylphosphocholine differs from conventional cytostatic agents

Alkylphosphocholines, and especially their main representative hexadecylphosphocholine (HPC), show high anticancer activity in methylnitrosourea (MNU)-induced autochthonous rat mammary carcinoma. The regression of MNU-induced rat mammary carcinoma during HPC treatment can be evaluated by computed tomography and sonography. This allows a noninvasive monitoring of therapy in vivo (tumor size, morphology, and blood supply). Both diagnostic modalities can show a rapid concentric decrease in tumor volume as well as the appearance of cystic, scarry, and necrotic areas in the tumor tissue as a result of HPC treatment. In addition, prior to, during and after therapy tumor perfusion can be assessed by color Doppler sonography in vivo. A more than 4-fold difference in HPC efficacy was observed when the colony growth of explanted MNU-induced mammary carcinoma cells was measured in the methylcellulose colony assay (IC50 = 180 mumol HPC/l) and the Hamburger Salmon colony assay (IC50 = 740 mumol HPC/l). In the latter assay, growth of concomitantly seeded untransformed cells, especially of fibroblasts, is much lower than in the methyl-cellulose colony assay. We therefore assume that the antitumor efficacy of HPC against MNU-induced mammary carcinoma is enhanced by neighboring cells such as fibroblasts. Cell culture experiments with the three MNU-induced rat mammary carcinoma cell clones 1-C-2, 1-C-30, and 1-C-32 revealed IC50 values in the range of 50-70 mumol HPC/l. The volume of 1-C-2 cells increased up to 4-fold after 72 h of permanent exposure to 100 mumol HPC/l, a concentration that completely inhibited proliferation of tumor cell numbers without being cytotoxic. Nucleotide triphosphate levels dropped significantly after 24 h and were slowly restored in spite of continued exposure. After 72 h, they nearly reached those levels observed in plateau-phase cells. This suggests that HPC-induced growth inhibition has similarities with physiologically occurring growth arrest. Finally, replication of RNA viruses and DNA viruses was suppressed 30-fold and 7-fold, respectively, at low concentrations of HPC (12 mumol/l), which caused no or negligible growth inhibition in the virus-harboring cells, thus demonstrating specific antiviral activity of HPC. From these observations we conclude that HPC differs in many important aspects from conventional cytostatic agents and is certainly worth following-up in further investigations.

Activating mutations at codon 61 of the c-Ha-ras gene in thin-tissue sections of tumors induced by aristolochic acid in rats and mice

The plant extract aristolochic acid, which consists mainly of aristolochic acid I (AAI) and aristolochic acid II (AAII), induces tumors in rats and mice. Thin-tissue sections of rat tumors induced by AAI and of mouse tumors induced by aristolochic acid, were analyzed for c-Ha-ras mutations in codon 61. Areas of neoplastic and histologically normal tissue were manually scraped out and separated. Using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and mutation detection by selective oligonucleotide hybridization, we observed AT----TA transversion mutations in DNA of neoplastic portions, but not in DNA of adjacent normal tissue in both rat and mouse tumors.

Aristolochic acid activates ras genes in rat tumors at deoxyadenosine residues

Aristolochic acid I (AAI), a nitrophenanthrene derivative, is the major component of the carcinogenic plant extract aristolochic acid, which has been used as a medicine since antiquity. Long term oral administration of AAI to male Wistar rats induces multiple tumors, mainly in the forestomach, ear duct, and small intestine. The presence of activated transforming genes was investigated in various tumors of 18 AAI treated rats, namely in 14 squamous cell carcinomas of the forestomach, 7 squamous cell carcinomas of the ear duct, 8 tumors of the small intestine, 3 tumors of the pancreas, 1 adenocarcinoma of the kidney, 1 lymphoma, and 2 metastases in the lung and the pancreas. By utilizing the tumorigenicity assay and Southern blot analysis, we have detected an activated c-Ha-ras gene in the DNAs of 5 of 5 squamous cell carcinomas of the forestomach. Direct sequencing of amplified material revealed an AT----TA transversion mutation at the second position of codon 61 of the c-Ha-ras gene (CAA to CTA) in all transfectants as well as in the 5 original rat tumors. Enzymatic amplification of ras sequences followed by selective oligonucleotide hybridization detected identical mutations in 93% (13 of 14) of forestomach tumors, in 100% (7 of 7) of ear duct tumors, and in the lung metastasis. Among those tumors tested, we had 4 cases in which the forestomach tumors and the ear duct tumors originated from the same rat, showing the same mutation in both tissues. Moreover, similar mutations were demonstrated at c-Ki-ras codon 61 in 1 of 7 ear duct tumors (CAA to CAT) and in 1 of 8 tumors of the small intestine (CAA to CTA) as well as at c-N-ras 61 (CAA to CTA) in a pancreatic metastasis. Additional transfection experiments of some tumors scoring negative for ras gene mutations in dot blot analyses revealed a CAA to CTA transversion at codon 61 of the c-Ha-ras gene in 1 forestomach tumor as well as at codon 61 of the c-N-ras in 1 hyperplasia of the pancreas and in 1 lymphoma. The apparent selectivity for mutations at adenine residues in AAI induced tumors is consistent with the identification of an N6-deoxyadenosine-AAI adduct formed by reaction of AAI with DNA in vitro, suggesting that carcinogen-deoxyadenosine adducts are the critical lesions in the tumor initiation by aristolochic acid.

Sensitivity of rodent osteosarcoma clones to platinum-containing phosphonic acid complexes in vitro

Osteosarcoma treatment still is unsatisfactory owing to the development of metastases. This situation causes many problems for the patients as well as the clinicians. Tumor heterogeneity is made responsible for the development of cell lines resistant to chemotherapy. As the transplantable osteosarcoma of the rat resembles the human metastasizing osteosarcoma, studies on clones of this tumor were started. The following compounds were investigated: AMDP, cis-diammine[nitrilotris-(methylphosphonato)(2-)-O1,N1]plati num II; DADP, cis-cyclohexane-1,2-diamine[nitrilotris(methylphosphonato)(2 -)-O1,N1]- platinum II; IMD, cis-diammine[imino-bis(methylphosphonato)(2-)-O1,N1]platinum II; DIMD, cis-cyclohexane-1,2-diamine[iminobis(methylphosphonato) (2-)-O1,N1]platinum II. In vitro assays were performed with cell lines derived from a lung metastasis with the limited-dilution method. The clones varied in modal chromosome number, growth kinetics and tumorigenicity. AMDP was the most potent compound in all three clones resulting in a concentration- and time-dependent effect while IMD was somewhat less active. The diamminocyclohexane derivatives were considerably less effective, inhibiting cell growth especially in clone C10. In contrast, clone C36 was more sensitive than C25 and did not recover within the observation period of 5 days. Viability was reduced significantly only in C10, when treated with AMDP. Differences between the clones and the various compounds in inhibiting cell growth could be observed. Therefore, further experiments on the heterogeneity and sensitivity of these cell lines seem promising.

Influence of dithiocarbamates on the metabolism and toxicity of N-nitrosodimethylamine in rats

Five secondary amines and secondary amino acids were reacted with carbon disulfide to yield dithiocarbamates. These compounds were tested for their influence on biochemical parameters and on some biological effects of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA). The following results were found. (i) All dithiocarbamates tested reduced the activity of N-nitrosodiethylamine-deethylase and completely inhibited the N-nitrosodimethylamine-demethylase in the rat liver. A striking influence on the glutathione content and on the activity of glutathione-S-transferase and glutathione-reductase was not observed. (ii) The excretion of unmetabolized N-nitrosodimethylamine in rat urine during 24 h increased from 0.1% without pretreatment to 3.6% of the given dose on combination with a single dose of dithiocarbamate. (iii) The acute toxicity of NDMA could be reduced with diethanol-dithiocarbamate. After a single simultaneous application of the inhibitor with NDMA, the LD50 was increased from 40 to 66 mg/kg. When the sulfur compound was administered twice, both simultaneously and 24 h after the nitrosamine, lethality was almost completely inhibited. We conclude from these results that dithiocarbamates may be suitable compounds for chemoprevention of nitrosamine-induced tumors.

Carcinogenic properties of N-nitrodimethylamine and N-nitromethylamine in the rat

Male and female BDVI rats were treated with 1 mmol/kg x week and 0.5 mmol/kg x week of N-nitrodimethylamine (NTDMA) or N-nitromethylamine (NTMA). NTMA induced mainly tumors of the nasal cavity (esthesioneuro-epithelioma) while NTMA induced neurinoma of the spine, spinal nerves and peripheral nerves. NTMA was slightly less potent than the dimethyl compound. Females were less susceptible than males to the carcinogenic action of the nitramines.

Different effects of cyclophosphamide in vivo and phosphamide mustard in vitro on two cell clones of chemically induced mammary carcinoma of the rat

Two cell clones of a methylnitrosourea-induced rat mammary carcinoma, a hyperdiploid (44 chromosomes, clone A) and a hypertetraploid clone (88 chromosomes, clone B) were cultured and transplanted subcutaneously into three groups of eight rats. Group 1 was treated with 62.6 mg cyclophosphamide/kg, group 2 with 41.8 mg/kg once weekly for 3 weeks. The volume of tumors derived from clone B cells was diminished by the administration of the agent, whereas clone A cell tumors did not respond. Incubation of cells of both clones with phosphamide mustard in vitro showed that cells of clone B are much more sensitive to the activated cyclophosphamide, especially after incubation in low concentrations of 40 microM and 20 microM, than those of clone A. It is concluded that the initial success of cyclophosphamide therapy on chemically induced tumors is due to the different sensitivities of the tumor cell populations.

Therapeutic activity of ET-18-OCH3 and hexadecylphosphocholine against mammary tumors in BD-VI rats

The present therapy experiments with two different transplantable mammary tumors were performed to compare the therapeutic efficacy in BD-VI rats of 1-O-octadecyl-2-O-methyl-rac-glycero-3-phosphocholine (ET-18-OCH3) and hexadecylphosphocholine (HPC). Both compounds were administered orally, subcutaneously or intracutaneously at equimolar doses ranging from 4.8 to 88 mumol/kg/day five times per week for two weeks. Under the experimental conditions, both transplanted mammary carcinomas were moderately sensitive to the therapy with either HPC or ET-18-OCH3. Comparing both tumors, TMA2 was more sensitive than TMA1. The activity and toxicity of both compounds were dose-related in both tumor lines. Females seemed to be less sensitive with respect to antineoplastic activity and toxicity. Like ET-18-OCH3, HPC was active also at low, probably noncytotoxic doses associated with no detectable toxicity according to body weight development. This suggests that there are at least two different mechanisms of action that lead to tumor growth inhibition.

Alkyl phosphocholines: toxicity and anticancer properties

The study reports on the investigation of acute and subacute toxicity and on antineoplastic activity of hexadecylphosphocholine (HPC), the first compound of a new class of antineoplastic chemotherapeutics. In rats, the LD50 of HPC was 606 mumol/kg; the maximum tolerable dose over four weeks was 39 mumol/kg. Symptoms of toxicity were enteritis, spider cell activation in the liver, hemosiderosis in the spleen and reversible transaminase increase. The best therapeutic effect was observed on methylnitrosourea (MNU)-induced mammary carcinoma in the rat. Two transplantable mammary carcinomas in the rat and autochthonous benzo(a)pyrene-induced sarcomas exhibited low-grade sensitivity to HPC. The MXT mammary carcinoma of the mouse, the Walker 256 carcinosarcoma of the rat, and autochthonous acetoxymethylmethylnitrosamine-induced colonic tumors of the rat were not chemosensitive to HPC.

Influence of the carboxylesterase inhibitor bis-p-nitrophenylphosphate on the rates of hydrolysis of various alpha-esters of 1-(N-methyl-N-nitrosamino)-methanol in vitro and in vivo and on the acute toxicity and carcinogenicity of 1-(N-methyl-N-nitrosamino)-methylacetate

The effect of an in vivo treatment with the carboxylesterase inhibitor bis-p-nitrophenylphosphate (BNPP) on the hydrolysis of 1-(N-methyl-N-nitrosamino)-methylacetate (NNMA), 1-(N-methyl-N-nitrosamino)-methylbutyrate (NNMB), 1-(N-methyl-N-nitrosamino)-methylbenzoate (NNMBz) and 1-(N-methyl-N-nitrosamino)-methylpivaloate (NMMP) in rat tissue homogenates was studied. The rates of hydrolysis were specific for each compound and different in every organ tested; the extent of inhibition of the hydrolysis by BNPP was also substrate and organ specific. In some cases no inhibition at all was observed. The rate of elimination of NNMA, NNMB, and NNMP from blood was not influenced by BNPP pretreatment. The LD50 of NNMA after i.v. application showed a rise of 85% with a BNPP pretreatment. BNPP also influenced the carcinogenicity of NNMA, whereby the total carcinogenic potency was not altered, but the organotropism had changed slightly.

Influence of a prolonged treatment with disulfiram and D(-)penicillamine on nitrosodiethylamine-induced biological and biochemical effects in rats. I. Investigations on the drug metabolizing system

The influence of a prolonged treatment with disulfiram (DSF) and D(-)penicillamine (PA) on biological and biochemical effects induced by nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) was studied in rats. The combination of NDEA and DSF led to a massive and early development of esophageal tumors, which were fatal to the animals. No liver tumors were observed in this group, whereas PA in combination with NDEA led to an increased development of liver tumors compared with NDEA alone. In the last two groups, only incidental tumors of the esophagus were observed. Nasal cavity tumors also appeared earlier in the animals treated with DSF and NDEA than in animals treated with NDEA alone or with NDEA plus PA. At a biochemical level, DSF led to a significant inhibition of hepatic anilinehydroxylase and nitroso-dimethylaminedemethylase in contrast to PA, which had no influence on these enzymes. The reduced activities of these drug-metabolizing enzymes did not appear to be related to gross cytochrome P450 content. Highly significant increases in glutathione content and glutathione-S-transferase activity (GSH/GST) were induced by DSF but not by PA. Because N-nitrosodiethylamine requires enzymatic activation to form the ultimate carcinogen, it is suggested that the observed inhibition of nitrosamine-transforming enzymes in the liver during DSF treatment leads to an increased amount of intact nitrosamines in other organs, e.g., in the esophagus, where it could be transformed to the ultimate carcinogen. DSF treatment alone or in combination with NDEA leads to an accumulation of trace elements in the liver, whereas PA eliminated copper and cobalt. The possible influence of these elements on tumor development is discussed in part II of this study.

Influence of a prolonged treatment with disulfiram and D-penicillamine on nitrosodiethylamine-induced biological and biochemical effects. II. Investigations on trace elements in the liver

The influence of a 28-week treatment with disulfiram (DSF), D-penicillamine (PA), and nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA), as well as with a combination of DSF or PA with NDEA on the concentrations of eight essential trace elements in the whole liver tissue of rats was measured by means of neutron activation analysis. While NDEA treatment lowered the Zn content of the liver, DSF alone or in combination with NDEA enhanced the Zn and Se concentration by 50%-80%. Co, Cu, and Cd levels were increased by factors of 10, 60, and 110, respectively. The Mo concentration was decreased by 50% after DSF administration. PA reduced Cu, Co, and Zn in the liver. PA/NDEA treatment also lowered Cu, Co, and Zn content, but there was no strengthening effect of PA on the decrease in Zn observed with NDEA. The change of trace element concentrations, especially of Cu, is discussed with regard to the observed tumor induction in the liver, which tended to be increased by a combined NDEA/PA administration compared with NDEA treatment alone, whereas a protective action of DSF against NDEA induced liver tumors could not be established.

The effect of 4-dimethylaminoazobenzene and azobenzene on the immune reaction of male Sprague-Dawley rats

The carcinogenic substance 4-dimethylaminoazobenzene and the non-carcinogen azobenzene were administered orally once a day to male Sprague-Dawley rats over several weeks at an equimolar dosage of 5-10(-5) moles/kg. Their immunological properties were examined in four different tests. The two substances suppress the cellular immune reactions of the rats already during the first month of treatment. The degree of efficiency of the immunosuppressive property decrease with the degree of antigenicity of the test antigen. Even a two-month treatment of the animals with the two substances had no evident influence on antibody formation. Correlations between the immune response and the carcinogenic effect were not demonstrable.

[Toxicological effects of diethylinitrosamine (DENA) in guppies (Lebistes reticulatus) (author's transl)]

In a chronical test guppies were incubated in the darkness in diethylnitrosamine-concentrations of 26 and 100 mg/1 up to seven months. This treatment led, because of the toxicity of the compound, to lesions in organs of the peritoneal cavity. Tumors were not observed. The cause of the lack of carcinogenic activity is discussed.