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Cancer Research Mar 1993The activity of DT-diaphorase [NAD(P)H:(quinone-acceptor)oxidoreductase] is increased 7-fold in wild-type BALB/c 3T3T cells as they reach confluence and become density... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
The activity of DT-diaphorase [NAD(P)H:(quinone-acceptor)oxidoreductase] is increased 7-fold in wild-type BALB/c 3T3T cells as they reach confluence and become density growth arrested. Harvesting and replating the cells at low density resulted in a loss of DT-diaphorase with a half time of 7 h, and removal of serum from high-density growth-arrested cells resulted in a decrease in DT-diaphorase with a half time of 3 days. Platelet-derived growth factor and insulin together, but not singly, maintain elevated DT-diaphorase levels in high-density growth-arrested BALB/c 3T3T cells. The increase in DT-diaphorase at high density diminished proportionately to the extent of transformation in four cell lines, 4NQO-3T3T, UV-3T3T, EJras-3T3T. and CSV3-1-3T3T. The most transformed cell line, CSV3-1-3T3T, showed no increase in DT-diaphorase at high density. Since there was no increase in DT-diaphorase mRNA in high-density growth-arrested wild-type BALB/c 3T3T cells compared to rapidly growing cells, the increase in DT-diaphorase activity at high density is most likely due to posttranslational events. High-density growth-arrested wild-type BALB/c 3T3 cells exhibited a greater sensitivity to growth inhibition by the antitumor quinone diaziquone [1,4-cyclohexadiene-1,4- dicarbamic acid, 2,5-bis(1-aziridinyl)-3,6-dioxo-, diethyl ether], which is metabolically activated by DT-diaphorase, than do low-cell-density, growth-arrested cells. The significance of the increase in DT-diaphorase at high cell density in normal cells and its loss in transformed cells may be related to the phenomenon of density-dependent growth inhibition in nontransformed but not in transformed cells.
Topics: 3T3 Cells; Animals; Aziridines; Benzoquinones; Blood Physiological Phenomena; Cell Count; Cell Division; Cell Line, Transformed; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; Growth Substances; Mice; NAD(P)H Dehydrogenase (Quinone); RNA, Messenger
PubMed: 8443814
DOI: No ID Found -
Journal of Clinical Oncology : Official... Jan 1993We conducted a phase III trial comparing intravenous (IV) diaziquone (AZQ) and carmustine (BCNU) as single agents in patients with cerebral anaplastic gliomas who had... (Clinical Trial)
Clinical Trial Comparative Study Randomized Controlled Trial
PURPOSE
We conducted a phase III trial comparing intravenous (IV) diaziquone (AZQ) and carmustine (BCNU) as single agents in patients with cerebral anaplastic gliomas who had received surgery and radiotherapy. Its purpose was to compare the efficacy of AZQ with that of BCNU, the standard agent for brain tumor chemotherapy.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
Randomization between the two regimens occurred 8 weeks after completion of radiotherapy. A total of 251 patients were randomized to receive either AZQ or BCNU, and there were no significant differences between the two treatment arms in any of the known prognostic variables, including age, histologic grade, and Karnofsky performance status (KPS).
RESULTS
There was no significant difference in either time to tumor progression or survival between the two treatment arms. Age and histology were strong predictors of outcome, whereas KPS had relatively less effect. Three groups of patients with distinctly different outcomes could be identified: (1) older age (45+) and glioblastoma/gliosarcoma (GBM/GS) patients had a median survival of 37 weeks after randomization; (2) patients with either older age or GBM/GS had a median survival of 61 weeks; and (3) younger age (< 45) and non-GBM/GS (usually anaplastic astrocytoma) patients had a median survival of 147 weeks. Toxicity was primarily hematologic, although acute gastrointestinal toxicity and chronic pulmonary toxicity were more common with BCNU. Patients randomized to AZQ who had significant hematologic toxicity that required dose reduction after the first treatment cycle had significantly longer time to tumor progression and survival than those who did not require dose reduction (P = .011 and .016, respectively).
CONCLUSION
There was no significant difference in efficacy between AZQ and BCNU in patients with anaplastic gliomas as tested in this study, although AZQ was somewhat better tolerated.
Topics: Adult; Analysis of Variance; Antineoplastic Agents; Aziridines; Benzoquinones; Brain Neoplasms; Carmustine; Combined Modality Therapy; Female; Glioma; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Proportional Hazards Models; Survival Analysis
PubMed: 8418246
DOI: 10.1200/JCO.1993.11.1.77 -
Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology 1993Autopsy tissues were collected from ten patients who had received etoposide, 150-3480 mg, from 1 to 412 days antemortem and from five patients who had received...
Autopsy tissues were collected from ten patients who had received etoposide, 150-3480 mg, from 1 to 412 days antemortem and from five patients who had received teniposide, 234-1577 mg, from 3 to 52 days antemortem. Tissues were assayed for etoposide and teniposide using high-pressure liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. Etoposide was detectable in tissues of three of four patients dying < 5 days after their last etoposide treatments to cumulative doses of 150-432 (median, 280) mg but was detectable in tissues of only one of six patients dying 7-412 (median, 37) days after their last etoposide treatment to a cumulative dose of 607-3600 (median, 1553) mg. The highest tissue concentrations were in the small bowel, prostate, thyroid, bladder, spleen, and testicle. Intermediate concentrations were found in the lymph node, skeletal muscle, adrenal gland, stomach, tumor, liver, lung, pancreas, and kidney, and the lowest concentrations were found in the heart, brain, diaphragm, vagina, and esophagus. Teniposide was detectable in one patient dying 3 days after a cumulative teniposide dose of 576 mg (spleen, prostate, heart > large bowel, liver, pancreas > thyroid, adrenal, stomach, small bowel, bladder, testicle, and skeletal muscle) but was not detectable in any tissue from four patients dying 5-52 (median, 8) days after their last treatment to a cumulative teniposide dose of 234-1577 (median, 520) mg. The very short tissue half-life contrasts with our previous observations for human autopsy tissue concentrations of mitoxantrone, doxorubicin, menogaril metabolites, diaziquone, and amsacrine. The short tissue half-life may help explain the schedule dependency of epipodophyllotoxin efficacy and may also help explain the lack of visceral toxicity of these compounds.
Topics: Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Etoposide; Female; Half-Life; Humans; Male; Teniposide; Tissue Distribution
PubMed: 8339387
DOI: 10.1007/BF00735921 -
IARC Scientific Publications 1993The 32P-postlabelling methodology for analysis of DNA adducts derived from carcinogens containing one aromatic ring (e.g., safrole, styrene oxide, benzene metabolites,...
The 32P-postlabelling methodology for analysis of DNA adducts derived from carcinogens containing one aromatic ring (e.g., safrole, styrene oxide, benzene metabolites, 1-nitrosoindole-3-acetonitrile) or a bulky non-aromatic moiety (e.g., mitomycin C, diaziquone) is reviewed. Six steps are involved: digestion of DNA to 3'-nucleotides, enrichment of adducts, 32P-labelling of adducts, separation of labelled adducts by TLC, detection, and quantitation. The first step, DNA digestion with micrococcal nuclease and spleen phosphodiesterase, is applicable to DNA modified with most carcinogens independent of their size and structure. Of the two commonly used procedures for enrichment of aromatic adducts in DNA digests, the nuclease P1 treatment is substantially more effective than butanol extraction for small aromatic and bulky non-aromatic adducts. For initial purification of these adducts from unadducted material after 32P-labelling, multi-directional polyethyleneimine (PEI)-cellulose TLC using 1 M sodium phosphate, pH 6.0, as the D1 solvent is not suitable, because they are not retained on PEI-cellulose under these conditions. A higher concentration of sodium phosphate (e.g., 2.3 M) or development with D1 and D3 solvents in the same direction helps to retain adducts of safrole and of benzene metabolites. Also, transfer of adducts from multiple cut-outs above the origin after D1 chromatography, as adopted for analysis of I-compounds, is potentially applicable. However, initial purification by reverse-phase TLC, followed by in situ transfer and resolution by PEI-cellulose TLC has been found to be most effective for these adducts. Reverse-phase TLC at 4 degrees C or in a stronger salt solution further improves retention of some adducts (e.g., mitomycin C and diaziquone adducts). For adduct separation by PEI-cellulose TLC, salt solutions with or without urea are used.
Topics: Carcinogens; Cellulose; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Chromatography, Thin Layer; DNA; DNA Damage; Humans; Phosphorus Radioisotopes; Polyethyleneimine
PubMed: 8225492
DOI: No ID Found -
Journal of Neuro-oncology Nov 1992We have used the 9L rat brain tumor model to search for effective chemotherapeutic approaches to the management of brain tumors. Several antineoplastic agents which have...
We have used the 9L rat brain tumor model to search for effective chemotherapeutic approaches to the management of brain tumors. Several antineoplastic agents which have been proposed or are currently being used for human brain tumors, including 1,3-bis (2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU), bleomycin, aziridinylbenzoquinone (AZQ), cis-Platinum, and acivicin, were administered intravenously (iv), intraperitoneally (ip), or intracerebrally (ic) to rats burdened with the intracranial 9L gliosarcoma. The results confirm that BCNU is the most effective systemic agent among the chemotherapeutic agents tested as indicated by its ability to significantly increase the median survival time (MST) and life span of the tumor-burdened animals. Bleomycin is an effective agent against the intracranial 9L tumor when administered ic. While neither systemic single iv dose AZQ (0.5-2.5 mg/kg) nor multiple ip treatments (0.5-1.0 mg/kg x 5, q 6 h) were effective in prolonging the survival, single ic dose AZQ (5-50 micrograms/rat) treatment significantly increased the MST of the treated animals (P < 0.05). Systemic AZQ treatments using higher doses produced a hematological toxicity, resulting in a decrease in MST of the treated animals. Cis-Platinum, either administered ip or ic, produced only a marginal effect on survival, although acute neurologic toxicity limited the dose of cis-Platinum that could be administered ic. Acivicin, either administered ip or ic, produced no effect on the survival of treated animals. Our results suggest that local treatment with certain antineoplastic agents may be an efficient therapy in the management of brain tumors.
Topics: Animals; Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; Antineoplastic Agents; Aziridines; Benzoquinones; Bleomycin; Brain Neoplasms; Carmustine; Cisplatin; Injections, Intralesional; Injections, Intraperitoneal; Isoxazoles; Male; Neoplasm Transplantation; Rats; Rats, Inbred F344
PubMed: 1281224
DOI: 10.1007/BF00172594 -
Biochemical Pharmacology Oct 1992The alkylating activity of reduced diaziquone was studied by the nitrobenzylpyridine (NBP) assay and was compared to those of the parent compound and... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
Reductive metabolism of diaziquone (AZQ) in the S9 fraction of MCF-7 cells. II. Enhancement of the alkylating activity of AZQ by NAD(P)H: quinone-acceptor oxidoreductase (DT-diaphorase).
The alkylating activity of reduced diaziquone was studied by the nitrobenzylpyridine (NBP) assay and was compared to those of the parent compound and aziridine-containing N,N',N"-triethylenethiophosphoramide (Thio-TEPA). Diaziquone (AZQ) was reduced enzymatically by 2e- using S9 cell fraction from MCF-7 cells which is rich in NAA(P)H:quinone-acceptor oxidoreductase (DT-diaphorase) (QAO) activity. One electron enzymatic reduction was performed with NADPH-cytochrome c reductase. The alkylating activity of AZQ increased 3-fold when reduced by 2e-. This increase was inhibited by dicumarol, an inhibitor of QAO. In contrast, the alkylating activity of AZQ did not increase beyond that of the parent compound when reduced by 1e- using purified NADPH-cytochrome c reductase. Similar results were obtained when AZQ was reduced chemically with borohydride (2e-) and with NADPH (1e-). Anaerobic incubations of AZQ with the S9 fraction of MCF-7 cells (2e- reduction) resulted in an increase in NBP alkylation over its aerobic counterpart (1.8-fold) while maintaining the near 3-fold increase in alkylation over untreated AZQ. In contrast, AZQ incubations with NADPH-cytochrome c reductase (1e- reduction) under the same conditions did not result in an NBP alkylation increase over untreated AZQ. These results indicate that AZQ hydroquinone is most likely the responsible species for the observed alkylation of this antitumor agent to DNA and other nucleophiles. The results also suggest that NAD(P)H:quinone-acceptor oxidoreductase is a very important enzyme in the bioactivation of AZQ.
Topics: Alkylation; Animals; Aziridines; Benzoquinones; Biotransformation; Cell Line; Cyclic N-Oxides; Humans; Liver; NADH Dehydrogenase; NADP; Oxidation-Reduction; Tumor Cells, Cultured
PubMed: 1301071
DOI: 10.1016/0006-2952(92)90481-w -
Seminars in Oncology Oct 1992All cancer chemotherapeutic agents, except altretamine, the nitrosoureas, and dactinomycin, have produced at least an isolated instance of a HSR. Certain drugs, such as... (Review)
Review
All cancer chemotherapeutic agents, except altretamine, the nitrosoureas, and dactinomycin, have produced at least an isolated instance of a HSR. Certain drugs, such as L-asparaginase and mitomycin (administered intravesically), cause HSRs of significant degree in approximately 10% of patients. All four types of HSRs are represented in the reactions produced by antitumor drugs, although Type I is the most common. Some of the Type I reactions are IgE-mediated, and others are probably mediated by nonspecific release of vasoactive substances from targets such as mast cells. It is possible to continue therapy with some drugs, despite a prior HSR, if the prophylactic measures outlined in Table 2 are taken. An example of this is provided by taxol in which the lengthening of the infusion time and the administration of preventive medication allowed some patients to continue taxol therapy. The mechanisms of the HSRs have been carefully assessed in only a minority of patients who sustained such toxicity. Such evaluation would increase our understanding of this form of drug toxicity and perhaps lead to means of effectively reducing the risk and severity.
Topics: Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; Antineoplastic Agents; Asparaginase; Aziridines; Benzoquinones; Bleomycin; Chlorambucil; Cisplatin; Cyclophosphamide; Cytarabine; Dacarbazine; Drug Hypersensitivity; Etoposide; Fluorouracil; Humans; Ifosfamide; Melphalan; Methotrexate; Mitomycins; Neoplasms; Paclitaxel; Pentostatin; Procarbazine; Teniposide
PubMed: 1384149
DOI: No ID Found -
The Biochemical Journal Sep 1992DT-diaphorase [NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase; EC 1.6.99.2] catalysed the two-electron reduction of the anti-tumour quinone...
Thiol oxidation coupled to DT-diaphorase-catalysed reduction of diaziquone. Reductive and oxidative pathways of diaziquone semiquinone modulated by glutathione and superoxide dismutase.
DT-diaphorase [NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase; EC 1.6.99.2] catalysed the two-electron reduction of the anti-tumour quinone 2,5-bis-(1-aziridinyl)-3,6-bis(ethoxycarbonylamino)-1,4-benzoquino ne (AZQ) to the hydroquinone form (AZQH2). Although DT-diaphorase catalysis of AZQ was not significantly affected by pH, the hydroquinone product was effectively stabilized by protonation at pH values below 7, whereas, above that pH, hyroquinone autoxidation, evaluated in terms of H2O2 production, increased exponentially. The autoxidation of AZQH2 entailed the formation of diverse radicals, such as O2-.,HO., and the semiquinone form of AZQ (AZQ-.), which contributed to different extents to the e.p.r. spectrum. Superoxide dismutase enhanced the autoxidation of AZQH2 and suppressed the e.p.r. signal ascribed to AZQ-., in agreement with a displacement of the equilibrium of the semiquinone autoxidation reaction (AZQ-.+O2 in equilibrium with AZQ+O2-.) upon enzymic withdrawal of O2-.. GSH increased the steady-state concentration of AZQH2 formed during DT-diaphorase catalysis and inhibited temporarily its autoxidation. This effect was accompanied by oxidation of the thiol to the disulphide within a process involving glutathionyl radical (GS.) formation, the relative contribution of which to the e.p.r. spectrum was enhanced by increasing GSH concentrations. GS. formation in this experimental model can be rationalized as originating from the reaction of GSH with AZQ-., rather than with O2-. or HO., for thiol oxidation was not affected significantly by superoxide dismutase, and GS. formation was insensitive to catalase. In addition, GSH suppressed the e.p.r. signal attributed to AZQ-.. No glutathionyl-quinone conjugate was detected during the DT-diaphorase-catalysed reduction of AZQ; although the chemical requirements for alkylation were partly fulfilled (quinone ring aromatization and acid-assisted aziridinyl ring opening), the negligible dissociation of GSH (GS(-)+H+ in equilibrium with GSH) at low pH prevented any nucleophilic addition to occur. Therefore the redox transitions of AZQ during DT-diaphorase catalysis seemed to be centred on the semiquinone species, the fate of which was inversely affected by catalytic amounts of superoxide dismutase and large amounts of GSH: the former enhanced AZQ-. autoxidation and the latter favoured AZQ-. reduction. Accordingly, superoxide dismutase and GSH suppressed the semiquinone e.p.r. signal. These results are discussed in terms of three interdependent redox transitions (comprising one-electron transfer reactions involving the quinone, oxygen and the thiol) and the thermodynamic and kinetic properties of the reactions involved.
Topics: Aziridines; Benzoquinones; Catalysis; Free Radicals; Glutathione; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Kinetics; NAD(P)H Dehydrogenase (Quinone); Oxidation-Reduction; Spectrum Analysis; Sulfhydryl Compounds; Superoxide Dismutase; Thermodynamics
PubMed: 1530580
DOI: 10.1042/bj2860481 -
Molecular Pharmacology Sep 1992A series of 2,5-bis-substituted 3,6-diaziridinyl-1,4-benzoquinones have been tested for their ability to be reduced by the two-electron NAD(P)H:(quinone acceptor)...
A series of 2,5-bis-substituted 3,6-diaziridinyl-1,4-benzoquinones have been tested for their ability to be reduced by the two-electron NAD(P)H:(quinone acceptor) oxidoreductase [DT-diaphorase (DTD); EC 1.6.99.2]. Symmetrically alkyl-substituted carbamoyl ester analogs of 2,5-ethyl(carboethoxyamino)3,6-diaziridinyl-1,4- benzoquinone [AZQ], 3,6-diaziridinyl-1,4-benzoquinone (DZQ), and its 2,5-dimethyl derivative (MeDZQ) were tested. The rate of reduction by DTD was DZQ greater than MeDZQ greater than n-butyl- (D5) greater than sec-butyl- (D7) greater than n-propyl- (D3) greater than methyl- (D1) greater than ethyl- (AZQ) greater than i-butyl- (D6) greater than i-propyl- (D4) substituted derivatives. The hydroxyethylamino analog (BZQ) was not a substrate for DTD. The order of toxicity to HT-29 human colon carcinoma cells (at 1-log cell kill) was MeDZQ greater than DZQ greater than BZQ greater than D1 greater than D5 greater than AZQ greater than D7 greater than D3 greater than D6 greater than D4. Dicumarol, a known inhibitor of DTD, was capable of inhibiting the cytotoxicity of DZQ, MeDZQ, AZQ, D3, D4, D5, D6, and D7, with little inhibition of D1 cytotoxicity. Alkaline elution assays suggested that DZQ induced DNA strand breaks, whereas MeDZQ induced DNA interstrand crosslinks in HT-29 cells. The formation of both classes of lesions was inhibited by dicumarol. DZQ and MeDZQ were 5-6-fold less cytotoxic to the DTD-deficient BE cell line, whereas BZQ was more cytotoxic to this cell line than the HT-29 cell line. BZQ was capable of inducing dicumarol-insensitive DNA interstrand crosslinks in both cell lines. In summary, these data show a trend between the rate of reduction by DTD of an analog and its ability to induce cytotoxicity in HT-29 cells, and they support a role for DTD in the bioreductive activation of AZQ and its analogs.
Topics: Animals; Antineoplastic Agents; Aziridines; Benzoquinones; Colonic Neoplasms; DNA Damage; Humans; Liver; NAD(P)H Dehydrogenase (Quinone); Oxidation-Reduction; Rats; Tumor Cells, Cultured
PubMed: 1406604
DOI: No ID Found -
Photochemistry and Photobiology Aug 1992The ability of visible light to enhance the activity of diaziquone (AZQ) was evaluated in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. MCF-7 cells were sensitive to AZQ, while...
The ability of visible light to enhance the activity of diaziquone (AZQ) was evaluated in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. MCF-7 cells were sensitive to AZQ, while visible light illumination had no appreciable effect on cell survival. In the presence of AZQ, visible light potentiated AZQ's cytotoxicity. This potentiation of AZQ activity correlated with a 2-2.5-fold increase in the formation of free radicals (hydroxyl radicals and AZQ semiquinone) and with the production of DNA strand breaks as measured by electron paramagnetic resonance and gel electrophoresis respectively. These results support the hypothesis that free radical formation is part of the mechanism of action of AZQ.
Topics: Antineoplastic Agents; Aziridines; Benzoquinones; DNA Damage; Free Radicals; Humans; Light; Photochemotherapy; Radiation-Sensitizing Agents; Tumor Cells, Cultured
PubMed: 1502264
DOI: 10.1111/j.1751-1097.1992.tb02148.x