title: Preclinical pharmacology and antitumour activity of the novel sequence-selective DNA minor-groove cross-linking agent DSB-120.
abstract: We examined the in vitro cytotoxicity, antitumour activity and preclinical pharmacokinetics of the novel sequence-selective, bifunctional alkylating agent DSB-120, a synthetic pyrrolo[1,4][2,1-c]benzodiazepine dimer. DSB-120 was shown to be a potent cytotoxic agent in vitro against a panel of human colon carcinomas [50% growth-inhibitory concentration (IC50) 42 +/- 7.9 nM, mean +/- SE, n = 7] and two rodent tumours (L1210 and ADJ/PC6). Antitumour activity was assessed in the bifunctional alkylating-agent-sensitive murine plasmacytoma ADJ/PC6 using a variety of administration protocols. The maximal antitumour effects were observed following a single i.v. dose but the therapeutic index was only 2.6. DSB-120 was less effective when given i.p. either singly or by a daily x 5 schedule. After a single i.v. dose at the maximum tolerated dose (MTD, 5 mgkg-1) the plasma elimination was biphasic, with a short distribution phase (t1/2 alpha 4 min) being followed by a longer elimination phase (t1/2 beta 38 min). Peak plasma concentrations were 25 micrograms ml-1, the clearance was 1.3 ml g-1 h-1 and the AUC0-infinity was 230 micrograms ml-1 min. Concentrations of DSB-120 in ADJ/PC6 tumours were very low, showing a peak of 0.4 micrograms g-1 at 5 min. The steady-state tumour/plasma ratio was about 5% and the AUC was only 2.5% of that occurring in the plasma. DSB-120 appeared to be unstable in vivo, with only 1% of an administered dose being recovered unchanged in 24-h urine samples. Plasma protein binding was extensive at 96.6%. In conclusion, the poor antitumour activity of DSB-120 may be a consequence of low tumour selectivity and drug uptake as a result of high protein binding and/or extensive drug metabolism in vivo.
authors.affiliation: CRC Centre for Cancer Therapeutics, Institute of Cancer Research, Belmont, Surrey, UK.
authors.forename: M I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Walton
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Goddard
authors.forename: L R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Kelland
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Thurston
authors.forename: K R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Harrap
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001570:Benzodiazepinones / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000494:pharmacology; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000494:pharmacology; D004355:Drug Stability; D005260:Female; D007939:Leukemia L1210 / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010954:Plasmacytoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D011485:Protein Binding; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001570:Benzodiazepinones; C089588:DSB 120; D004317:Doxorubicin; D002945:Cisplatin