Antineoplastic effects of gallium nitrate on human medulloblastoma in vivo.
Gallium nitrate possesses antineoplastic activity against certain solid tumors and has been demonstrated to be an effective agent in reducing cell proliferation and DNA synthesis in the medulloblastoma Daoy cell line in vitro. In prior studies, gallium inhibited the cellular uptake of 59Fe by brain tumor cells; however, this block in 59Fe uptake was variable and closely paralleled the inhibitory effects of gallium on cell growth. In vivo trials now have been conducted and have yielded some promising results. Nude mice received intradermal injections of medulloblastoma Daoy and then allowed to grow tumors. When the mice had developed at least one tumor between 9 to 10 mm in diameter, a 10-day course of intraperitoneal gallium nitrate injections was initiated. Gallium nitrate treatment reduced overall tumor growth rate and reduced actual tumor size. Nephrotoxicity was severe, but may be preventable by continuous gallium infusion and use of diuretics and hyperhydration.
Whelan
H T
HT
Department of Neurology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee 53226.
Schmidt
M H
MH
Anderson
G S
GS
Chan
B K
BK
Hunter
K
K
Kubacki
D
D
Segura
A D
AD
Chitambar
C R
CR
D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use* / Q000633:toxicity; D001806:Blood Urea Nitrogen; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002528:Cerebellar Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000473:pathology; D005708:Gallium / Q000627:therapeutic use* / Q000633:toxicity; D008527:Medulloblastoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D008819:Mice, Nude; D009368:Neoplasm Transplantation
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D005708:Gallium; C027235:gallium nitrate