title: In vitro analysis of BCNU-sensitivity in human malignant gliomas. I. A model study with alkylating, cross-linking and carbamoylating agents in anaplastic astrocytomas of pediatric age.
abstract: Like all chloroethyl-nitrosoureas of major clinical use, 1,3 bis-(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU) - which is one of the most effective chemotherapeutic agents for CNS malignancies - biologically degrades into active alkylating and carbamoylating moieties. Using a human brain tumor stem cell assay, we analyzed a series of anaplastic astrocytomas of pediatric age, characterized by different degrees of BCNU-resistance. Early (2-4) passage cultures from these tumors were treated in vitro with model drugs for alkylation (BCNU, CHLZ (2-[3-(2-chloroethyl)-3-nitrosoureido]-2-deoxy-D-glucopyranose), ENU (N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea), cross-linking (BCNU, CHLZ) and carbamoylation BHCNU (1,3 bis (trans-4-hydrocyclohexyl)-1-nitrosourea): dose-schedules were compatible with clinically achievable levels. Results of chemosensitivity tests confirmed that - as previously reported in malignant gliomas of the adult - cellular resistance to BCNU was closely related to the cross-linking activity of alkylating species. However, in pediatric gliomas the levels of cell kill after treatment with the purely carbamoylating agent BHCNU, even at the highest doses tested, were lower than expected.
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D002330:Carmustine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein / Q000276:immunology; D005909:Glioblastoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D009607:Nitrosourea Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013311:Streptozocin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; D006680:HLA Antigens; D009607:Nitrosourea Compounds; C007028:chlorozotocin; D013311:Streptozocin; D002330:Carmustine