N. P. Konovalova

Nitric oxide donor increases the efficiency of cytostatic therapy and retards the development of drug resistance.

The potentiality to increase the chemotherapeutic effectiveness of some cytostatics in low, subtherapeutic doses in combination with nitric oxide (NO) donor has been shown. This type of combined therapy results in significant increase in life span and number of survivors among mice bearing leukemias P388 and L-1210. A similar effect was observed for intracerebral leukemia P388 transplantation. In this case the life span of mice treated with cyclophosphamide and NO donor increased by three times in comparison to therapy with cyclophosphamide alone. The coinjection of nitric oxide donor and cytostatics improved the antimetastatic activity of the cytostatics: the index of melanoma B16 metastasis inhibition at the cyclophosphamide monotherapy is 50%; on addition of NO donor the index is over 80%. Comparative studies of NO donor (organic nitrate) and a similar compound in which ONO(2) moieties were replaced by OH groups demonstrated that the presence of NO(2) is required for adjuvant activity of compounds and confirmed that nitric oxide modifies the antitumor effects of cytostatics. It is shown also that nitric oxide donor retards the development of drug resistance to cyclophosphamide.

Synthesis, structure and biological activity of nitroxide malonate methanofullerenes

Two nitroxide methanofullerenes was synthesized for the first time, and their structures and biological activities studied. It was shown by X-ray single crystal analysis that the methanofullerene with two nitroxide groups forms a 1 : 2 inclusion complex with chloroform and has a nearly tetrahedral (diamond-like) arrangement of fullerene-fullerene interactions in the crystal. For the first time, it has been found that malonate nitroxide methanofullerene in combination with the known anticancer drug cyclophosphamide (CPA) shows high antitumor activity against leukemia P-388.

Synthesis and antitumor activity of platinum(II) complexes with trans-3,4-diamino-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl

Platinum complexes PtII(DAPO)X2 with diaminonitroxyl radical-trans-3,4-diamino-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (DAPO)-were synthesized by the direct reaction of DAPO with K2PtX4 (X = Cl, I) or by the replacement of chloro ligands in PtII(DAPO)Cl2 by bromo, nitrato, oxalato, malonato, and 1,1-cyclobutanedicarboxylato ligands. The complexes thus obtained were characterized by elemental analysis, infrared,electronic, electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopic techniques, and high-performance liquid chromatography. The toxicity of compounds in terms of LD50 strongly depends on the nature of X-ligands, and varies between 11 mg/kg (X = NO3) and 400 mg/kg (X2 = 1,1-cyclobutanedicarboxylate). Up to 66% of mice bearing leukemia L1210 survive after the administration of these complexes. This effect is comparable to the effect of cisplatin (50% survive). An increase in the life span of the rest of the animals ranges from 158 to 383%. Complex PtII(DAPO)Cl2 appears to be more efficient than cisplatin against adenocarcinoma 755. Cisplatin, cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II); CBDCA, 1,1-cyclobutanedicarboxylic acid; DAPO, trans-3,4-diamino-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl; Mal, malonic acid; Ox, oxalic acid; IR, infrared; EPR, electron paramagnetic resonance; HPLC, high-performance liquid chromatography; Ca755, adenocarcinoma 755; LD50 and LD100, dose of compounds (mg/kg), causing a death of 50 or 100% or treated animals; ILS, increase in life span of mice.

Synthesis, structure, and antitumor properties of platinum(iv) complexes with aminonitroxyl radicals

The platinum(iv) complexes cis,trans,cis-PtIV(RNH2)(NH3)(OH)2Cl2, where R is 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-oxyl-4-piperidinyl (1) or 2,2,5,5-tetramethyl-1-oxyl-3-pyrrolidinyl (2), were prepared by oxidation of the corresponding cis-PtII(RNH2)(NH3)Cl2 complexes with hydrogen peroxide. The reactions are catalyzed by tungstate salts, which makes it possible to carry out oxidation under mild conditions. The resulting complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, HPLC, and IR, UV, and ESR spectroscopy. The structure of complex 1 was established by X-ray diffraction analysis. Complex 1 exhibits the highest antitumor activity in an experimental tumor, viz., in P388 leukemia. The resistance of the tumor to this complex developed much slower than that to Cisplatin.

Polyfunctional action of biologically active compounds in antitumor chemotherapy of cyclophosphamide

Combinations of the known cytostatic cyclophosphamide (cyclophosphan) with hydroxamic acids (asparagylhydroxamic and salicylhydroxamic), nitric oxide donor (sodium nitrate), and an original hybrid non-steroidal anti-inflammatory compound, viz., diclofenachydroxamic acid nitrate salt (DHA·HNO3), were studied. The use of cyclophosphan in combination with these substances increases the efficiency of chemotherapy and elongates the life of animals with leukemia P-388. The dynamics of changes in the signal from cytochrome P-450 in the liver samples after the administration of DHA·HNO3 to the animals was studied by ESR spectroscopy. The mechanism of the action of DHA·HNO3 enhancing the chemotherapeutic effect of cyclophosphan was proposed.

Synthesis, structure, and biological activity of mixed-ligand platinum(II) complexes with aminonitroxides

Mixed-ligand platinum complexescis-PtII(R6NH2)(NH3)X2 andcis-PtII(R5NH2)(NH3)X2 (R6 is 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl-1-oxyl and R5 is 2,2,5,5-tetramethyl-3-pyrrolidinyl-1-oxyl) were synthesized by either the reaction of aminonitroxides RNH2 with Na[PtII(NH3)Cl2I] generatedin situ (for X2=ClI) or by replacement of the iodo-chloro ligands incis-Pt11(RNH2)(NH3)ClI by dichloro and oxalato ligands. The complexes obtained were characterized by elemental analysis and by IR, UV, and ESR spectra. Forcis-Pt11(R5NH2)(NH3)Cl2, crystal and molecular structures were determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. Cisplatin accelerates autooxidation of methyl linoleate and the platinum nitroxide complexes synthesized exhibit antioxidant properties. The rate of isolated DNA binding with the new complexes is almost as high as that for cisplatin.cis-Pt11(R6NH2)(NH3)Cl2 exhibits the highest antitumor activity. The high antitumor activity of platinum nitroxide complexes shows that the possible “radical component” is not a crucial factor in the cytotoxic action of cisplatin.

Activity of Ruboxyl, a Nitroxyl Derivative of Daunorubicin, on Experimental Models of Colorectal Cancer Metastases

We evaluated the activity of ruboxyl (Rbx), a nitroxyl analogue of daunorubicin (Dauno), in experimental models of hepatic metastases from colorectal carcinoma (CRC) and compared it with its parent compound and with 5-fluorouracil (5FU). In mice treated by intraperitoneal injections Rbx and 5FU proved more effective than Dauno: the Index of Inhibition of Metastases in comparison with controls was 43% for Dauno, 70% for 5FU and 84% for Rbx. In BDIX rats implanted with the syngeneic cell line DHD K12/TRb, both Rbx and 5FU, administered as a continuous intravenous infusion for 7 days, reduced the development of liver metastases from a median of 23.8 ± 2.16 for controls to 3.2 ± 1.3 for 5FU and 1.0 ± 1.4 for Rbx (p < 0.0001 versus controls for both treatments): the comparison of Rbx and 5FU showed a trend in favour of this new anthracycline. Median survival was prolonged from 40.6 ± 3.4 days in controls to 56.0 ± 5.8 days with Rbx and 58.0 ± 4.69 days with 5FU. Considering that in a phase I study Rbx showed only minor and manageable toxic side effect, its activity in the clinical treatment of CRC metastases may deserve further attention.

Synthesis of dinitroxylcis-diaminoplatinum(ii) complexes and their interaction with DNA

Dinitroxyl complexes of platinum,cis-PtII(APO)2X2, where APO is 4-amino-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl, were obtained by either a direct reaction of APO with K2PtX4 (X=Cl or I) or a replacement of iodide ligands incis-PtII(APO)2I2 by nitrate and oxalate ligands. The interation of water-solublecis-PtII(APO)2(NO3)2 with, ox spleen DNA resulted in platinated DNA with a degree of modification (r)-7 times lower than that obtained withcis-PtII(NH3)2Cl2 (cisplatin). Melting pointTm, melting range ΔT, and the degree of hyperchromicity ΔH for platinated DNA showed that for equalr values, thecis-PtII(APO)2—DNA adducts increase heterogeneity in the DNA structure much more effectively than thecis-PtII(NH3)2—DNA adducts. Poor platinating activity, substantial disturbance of the DNA structure, as well as low toxicity and moderate antitumor activity ofcis-PtII(APO)2X2 complexes are probably explained by steric hindrances caused by two bulky APO ligands.

The effect of ascorbic acid on the efficiency of cytotoxic therapy with cytostatic drugs in combination with NaNO3 and hydroxamic acids

The present investigation is based on the paradoxical dichotomy of the biological action of nitric oxide (NO). Depending on its concentration in the organism, it can have therapeutic or pathogenic effect. It was shown that during the treatment with cisplatin (cPt) or cyclophospamide (CP), adjunct therapy with ascorbic acid (AA) known to increase the NO content in the organism extended the average lifespan (ALS) by 20—30% as compared to cytostatic monotherapy. Combination of cytostatics with sodium nitrate extended ALS by 20—38% depending on the concentration of the nitrate. The efficiency of cytotoxic therapy in combination with two chemo sensitizers (NaNO3 and hydroxamic acid) also depends on the concentration of injected NaNO3. Addition of AA to these combinations extended ALS by 16%, or inhibited it by 40%. Variation of the dose of injected NaNO3 that is a NO donor in combination with endogenous NO stimulated with AA controls the action of cytostatics and combinations thereof.

Effect of Cyclic Hydroxamic Acids Derived from Glycine and D,L-Alanine on Activity of Ca2+, Mg2+-ATPase Hydrolases of Sarcoplasmic Reticulum and Cyclic Guanosine Monophosphate Phosphodiesterase

The effects of cyclic hydroxamic acids (CHAs) derived from glycine and D,L-alanine on the enzymatic activity of Ca2+,Mg2+-ATPase from sarcoplasmic reticulum (Ca2+,Mg2+-ATPase SR) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate phosphodiesterase (PDEcGMP) were investigated. CHAs I (C5H10N2O2), II (C6H12N2O2), III (C8H15N3O2), IV (C9H17N3O2), V (C11H21N3O2), and VI (C12H23N3O2) were modulators of Ca2+,Mg2+-ATPase SR enzyme activity. Compounds I-VI decoupled to various extents the hydrolytic and transport functions of Ca2+,Mg2+-ATPase SR, disrupting the ratio of intra- and extracellular Ca2+ ions. This affected the adhesion of metastatic cells to capillary endothelium. Compounds IV and VI had the highest metastasis inhibition indices (MII%) for B-16 melanoma of 33 and 81%, respectively. This correlated with a decreased Ca2+ transmembrane transfer coefficient into SR vesicles of 0.75 for IV and 0.5 for VI compared with a [Ca2+]/[ATP] ratio in the control of 1.4. CHAs I-VI did not affect the functioning of PDEcGMP. The results enabled potential antimetastatic drugs in the CHA series to be predicted.