title: Cytotoxic and antitumor activity of MEN 10710, a novel alkylating derivative of distamycin.
abstract: MEN 10710 is a new synthetic distamycin derivative possessing four pyrrole rings and a bis-(2-chloroethyl)aminophenyl moiety linked to the oligopyrrole backbone by a flexible butanamido chain. Its biological properties have been investigated in comparison with the structurally related compound, tallimustine (FCE24517), and the classical alkylating agent, melphalan (L-PAM). Cytotoxic potency of MEN 10710 was increased from 10- to 100-fold, as compared to tallimustine or L-PAM in murine L1210, human LoVo and MCF7 tumor cell lines. MEN 10710 was still active against L1210/L-PAM leukemic cells, while a partial cross-resistance was observed in LoVo/DX and in MCF7/DX cells selected for resistance to doxorubicin and expressing a MDR phenotype. Treatment with verapamil (VRP) reduced the resistance to tallimustine, but not to MEN 10710, in MCF7/DX cells. The cytotoxic effects reflect in vivo antitumor potency and toxicity in the treatment of human tumor xenografts. MEN 10710 was more effective in A2780/DDP, an ovarian carcinoma selected for resistance to cisplatin. On the other hand, the IC30 for inhibiting murine granulocyte/macrophage colony formation was 50 times higher for MEN 10710 than for tallimustine, suggesting a lower myelotoxic potential. In conclusion, the particular biological profile of MEN 10710 characterized by a marked cytotoxic potency, an interesting antitumor efficacy and a reduced in vitro myelosuppressive action may represent a further improvement in the rational design of a novel distamycin-related alkylating compound.
authors.affiliation: Pharmacology Department, Menarini Ricerche, Pomezia (Rome), Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bigioni
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Salvatore
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Palma
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Manzini
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Animati
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lombardi
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pratesi
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Supino
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zunino
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology; D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology; D002470:Cell Survival; D004214:Distamycins / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007939:Leukemia L1210 / Q000188:drug therapy; D008558:Melphalan / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology; D051379:Mice; D009368:Neoplasm Transplantation; D009374:Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000188:drug therapy; D014411:Neoplastic Stem Cells; D009588:Nitrogen Mustard Compounds / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured; D014700:Verapamil / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D004214:Distamycins; C098491:MEN 10710; D009588:Nitrogen Mustard Compounds; C066900:tallimustine; D014700:Verapamil; D008558:Melphalan