Stable DHLA-PEG capped PbS quantum dots: from synthesis to near-infrared biomedical imaging.

The short shelf-life of water-soluble quantum dots (QDs) due to colloidal instability represents a major drawback to their exploitation. This work examines the colloidal stability of PbS nanoparticles capped with dihydrolipoic acid-polyethylene glycol (DHLA-PEG) ligands terminated with functional groups such as -NH2, -COOH, OMe and -N3. and their application for in vivo imaging. We prove a mechanism of colloidal instability and develop a strategy to produce for the first time stable PEG-capped PbS quantum dots with high quantum yield and optical emission in the first and the second near-infrared (NIR) windows of low absorption of biological tissues. The NIR imaging of in vivo biodistribution is demonstrated at wavelengths >1000 nm, with benefits of reduced tissue absorption and light scattering. The stability, biocompatibility and potential for further QD functionalization open up realistic prospects for non-invasive bioimaging applications.

Developing a self-healing supramolecular nucleoside hydrogel.

Low molecular weight gelator hydrogels provide a viable alternative to traditional polymer based drug delivery platforms, owing to their tunable stability and in most cases inherent biocompatibility. Here we report the first self-healing nucleoside hydrogel using N4-octanoyl-2'-deoxycytidine (0.5% w/v) for drug delivery. The hydrogel's cross-linked nanofibrillar structure, was characterised using oscillatory rheology and confirmed using SEM and TEM imaging. The potential of this gel for drug delivery was explored in vitro using fluorescently labelled tracers. Cell viability assays were conducted using pancreatic cell lines which tolerated the gels well; whilst no adverse effects on the viability or proliferation of cells were observed for fibroblast cell lines.

Gelation properties of self-assembling N-acyl modified cytidine derivatives.

In this study we report the synthesis of new cytidine derived gelators possessing acyl chains of different lengths. These low molecular weight gelators were shown to form self-supporting gels at 0.5% (w/v) in binary systems of aqueous miscible polar organic solvent and water. The representative gels were studied using rheology and their fibrillar structure confirmed by TEM imaging and FTIR. We further demonstrated the use of these gels as potential drug delivery platforms by monitoring release characteristics of both high and low molecular weight fluorescently labelled tracers.

Acalypha wilkesiana extracts induce apoptosis by causing single strand and double strand DNA breaks.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The seeds of Acalypha wilkesiana have been used empirically by traditional healers in Southwest Nigeria together with other plants as a powder mixture to treat patients with breast tumours and inflammation. AIM OF THE STUDY: There is an increasing interest among researchers in searching for new anticancer drugs from natural resources, particularly plants. This study aimed to investigate the anticancer properties of Acalypha wilkesiana extracts and the characteristics of DNA damage against brain and lung cancer cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The antiproliferative activity of Acalypha wilkesiana extracts (ethyl acetate, hexane, and ethanol) was examined on human glioma (U87MG), human lung carcinoma (A549), and human lung fibroblast (MRC5) cells. RESULTS: Cell viability MTT assay revealed that ethyl acetate extract of the plant possessed significant antiproliferative effects against both U87MG (GI(50)=28.03 ± 6.44 µg/ml) and A549 (GI(50)=89.63 ± 2.12 µg/ml) cells (p value<0.0001). The hexane extract was found to exhibit crucial antiproliferative effects on U87MG (GI(50)=166.30 ± 30.50 µg/ml) (p value<0.0001) but not on A549 cells. Neither plant extract possessed noticeable antiproliferative effects on the non-cancerous MRC5 cells (GI(50)>300 µg/ml). The ethanol extract showed no antiproliferative effects on any cell line examined. Haematoxylin & Eosin (H & E) staining and single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) comet assay confirmed that plant extract-treated cells underwent apoptosis and not necrosis. SCGE comet assays confirmed that plant extracts caused both single strand (SSB) and double strand (DSB) DNA breaks that led to the execution of apoptosis. CONCLUSION: The extracts (especially ethyl acetate and hexane) of Acalypha wilkesiana possess valuable cytotoxic effects that trigger apoptosis in U87MG and A549 cancer cells through induction of DNA SSBs and DSBs.

Preclinical toxicokinetic evaluation of phortress [2-(4-amino-3-methylphenyl)-5-fluorobenzothiazole lysylamide dihydrochloride] in two rodent species.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The 2-(4-amino-3-methylphenyl)-5-fluorobenzothiazole prodrug Phortress exerts potent and selective antitumour activity in vitro and in vivo. Preclinical toxicokinetic studies in 2 rodent species were undertaken to determine Phortress' maximum tolerated dose and advise a safe starting dose for clinical evaluation. METHODS: Plasma pharmacokinetic parameters were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography and fluorescence detection following Phortress administration to mice (10 mg/kg, intravenously on days 1 and 8). Phortress (20 mg/kg, on days 1 and 8) was administered to CYP1A1/betaGAL reporter mice; tissues were examined macro- and microscopically. Toxicological and pharmacodynamic endpoints were examined in organs of rodents receiving Phortress (10 mg/kg or 20 mg/kg, on days 1 and 8). CYP1A1 expression and Phortress-derived DNA adducts were determined in lungs and livers (on days 11 and 36). RESULTS: No accumulation of Phortress was detected in murine plasma. beta-Galactosidase activity inferred Phortress-derived induction of cyp1a1 transcription in the livers of transgenic mice; no total body weight loss was encountered in these animals. However, a fall in lung:body weight and kidney:body weight ratios, raised serum alkaline phosphatase levels and hepatic histopathological disturbances in animals receiving 20 mg/kg Phortress indicate organ sites of potential toxicity. CYP1A1 protein was induced transiently in the lungs of both species and in the livers of rats. Elimination of hepatic DNA adducts and rat pulmonary adducts was evident; however, murine pulmonary adducts persisted. CONCLUSION: Rodent preclinical toxicology established that mice represent the more sensitive rodent species, resolving a maximum tolerated dose of 10 mg/kg Phortress.

Cytotoxic and antiangiogenic activity of AW464 (NSC 706704), a novel thioredoxin inhibitor: an in vitro study.

AW464 (NSC 706704) is a novel benzothiazole substituted quinol compound active against colon, renal and certain breast cancer cell lines. NCI COMPARE analysis indicates possible interaction with thioredoxin/thioredoxin reductase, which is upregulated under hypoxia. Through activity on HIF1alpha, VEGF levels are regulated and angiogenesis controlled. A thioredoxin inhibitor could therefore exhibit enhanced hypoxic toxicity and indirect antiangiogenic effects. In vitro experiments were performed on colorectal and breast cancer cell lines under both normoxic and hypoxic conditions and results compared against those obtained with normal cell lines, fibroblasts and keratinocytes. Antiangiogenic effects were studied using both large and microvessel cells. Indirect antiangiogenic effects (production of angiogenic growth factors) were studied via ELISA. We show that AW464 exerts antiproliferative effects on tumour cell lines as well as endothelial cells with an IC(50) of approximately 0.5 microM. Fibroblasts are however resistant. Proliferating, rather than quiescent, endothelial cells are sensitive to the drug indicating potential antiangiogenic rather than antivascular action. Endothelial differentiation is also inhibited in vitro. Hypoxia (1% O(2) for 48 h) sensitises colorectal cells to lower drug concentrations, and in HT29s greater inhibition of VEGF is observed under such conditions. In contrast, bFGF levels are unaffected, suggesting possible involvement of HIF1alpha. Thus, AW464 is a promising chemotherapeutic drug that may have enhanced potency under hypoxic conditions and also additional antiangiogenic activity.

The development of the antitumour benzothiazole prodrug, Phortress, as a clinical candidate.

This review traces the development of a series of potent and selective antitumour benzothiazoles from the discovery of the initial lead compound, 2-(4-amino-3-methylphenyl)benzothiazole (DF 203) in 1995 to the identification of a clinical candidate, Phortress, scheduled to enter Phase 1 trials in Q1 2004 under the auspices of Cancer Research U.K. Advances in our understanding of the mechanism of action of this unique series of agents are described and can be summarised as follows: selective uptake into sensitive cells followed by Arylhydrocarbon Receptor (AhR) binding and translocation into the nucleus, induction of the cytochrome P450 isoform (CYP) 1A1, conversion of the drug into an electrophilic reactive intermediate and formation of extensive DNA adducts resulting in cell death. Our understanding of this mechanistic scenario has played a crucial role in the drug development process, most notably in the synthesis of fluorinated DF 203 analogues to thwart deactivating oxidative metabolism (5F 203) and water-soluble prodrug design for parenteral administration. Aspects of mechanism of action studies, in vitro and in vivo screening, synthetic chemistry and pharmacokinetics are reviewed here.

Variation in RNA expression and genomic DNA content acquired during cell culture.

Specific chromosomal abnormalities are increasingly recognised to be associated with particular tumour subtypes. These cytogenetic abnormalities define the sites of specific genes, the alteration of which is implicated in the neoplastic process. We used comparative genomic hybridisation (CGH) to examine DNA from different breast and ovarian cancer cell lines for variations in DNA sequence copy number compared with the same normal control. We also compared different sources of the MCF7 breast line by both CGH and cDNA expression arrays. Some of the differences between the subcultures were extensive and involved large regions of the chromosome. Differences between the four subcultures were observed for gains of 2q, 5p, 5q, 6q, 7p, 7q, 9q, 10p, 11q, 13q, 14q, 16q, 18p and 20p, and losses of 4q, 5p, 5q, 6q, 7q, 8p, 11p, 11q, 12q, 13q, 15q, 19p, 19q, 20p, 21q, 22q and Xp. However, few variations were found between two subcultures examined, 5 months apart, from the same initial source. The RNA arrays also demonstrated considerable variation between the three different subcultures, with only 43% of genes expressed at the same levels in all three. Moreover, the patterns of the expressed genes did not always reflect our observed CGH aberrations. These results demonstrate extensive genomic instability and variation in RNA expression during subculture and provide supportive data for evidence that cell lines do evolve in culture, thereby weakening the direct relevance of such cultures as models of human cancer. This work also reinforces the concern that comparisons of published analyses of cultures of the same name may be dangerous.

Antitumour 2-(4-aminophenyl)benzothiazoles generate DNA adducts in sensitive tumour cells in vitro and in vivo.

2-(4-Aminophenyl)benzothiazoles represent a potent and highly selective class of antitumour agent. In vitro, sensitive carcinoma cells deplete 2-(4-aminophenyl)benzothiazoles from nutrient media; cytochrome P450 1A1 activity, critical for execution of antitumour activity, and protein expression are powerfully induced. 2-(4-Amino-3-methylphenyl)benzothiazole-derived covalent binding to cytochrome P450 1A1 is reduced by glutathione, suggesting 1A1-dependent production of a reactive electrophilic species. In vitro, 2-(4-aminophenyl)benzothiazole-generated DNA adducts form in sensitive tumour cells only. At concentrations >100 nM, adducts were detected in DNA of MCF-7 cells treated with 2-(4-amino-3-methylphenyl)-5-fluorobenzothiazole (5F 203). 5F 203 (1 microM) led to the formation of one major and a number of minor adducts. However, treatment of cells with 10 microM 5F 203 resulted in the emergence of a new dominant adduct. Adducts accumulated steadily within DNA of MCF-7 cells exposed to 1 microM 5F 203 between 2 and 24 h. Concentrations of the lysylamide prodrug of 5F 203 (Phortress) > or = 100 nM generated adducts in the DNA of sensitive MCF-7 and IGROV-1 ovarian cells. At 1 microM, one major Phortress-derived DNA adduct was detected in these two sensitive phenotypes; 10 microM Phortress led to the emergence of an additional major adduct detected in the DNA of MCF-7 cells. Inherently resistant MDA-MB-435 breast carcinoma cells incurred no DNA damage upon exposure to Phortress (< or = 10 microM, 24 h). In vivo, DNA adducts accumulated within sensitive ovarian IGROV-1 and breast MCF-7 xenografts 24 h after treatment of mice with Phortress (20 mg kg(-1)). Moreover, Phortress-derived DNA adduct generation distinguished sensitive MCF-7 tumours from inherently resistant MDA-MB-435 xenografts implanted in opposite flanks of the same mouse.

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor in anticancer drug discovery: friend or foe?

Binding of ligands such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons to the Aryl hydrocarbon Receptor (AhR) and the sequence of events leading to induction of xenobiotic-metabolising enzymes such as the cytochrome P450 isoform 1A1 and subsequent generation of DNA adducts is historically associated with the process of chemical carcinogenesis. Cancer chemopreventative agents, on the other hand, often exert their biological effect at least in part through antagonism of AhR-induced carcinogenesis. A third scenario associated with AhR binding could occur if the induction of xenobiotic enzymes and subsequent DNA damage causes apoptosis. If this occurs selectively in tumour cells whilst sparing normal tissue, the AhR ligand would have a therapeutic cytotoxic effect. In this review we survey for the first time the major classes of reported AhR ligands and discuss the biological consequences of AhR binding in each case. The use of AhR ligands as cancer chemotherapeutic agents, as illustrated by the case of the 2-(4-aminophenyl)benzothiazole prodrug Phortress, is discussed as a therapeutic strategy.

In vitro evaluation of amino acid prodrugs of novel antitumour 2-(4-amino-3-methylphenyl)benzothiazoles.

Novel 2-(4-aminophenyl)benzothiazoles possess highly selective, potent antitumour properties in vitro and in vivo. They induce and are biotransformed by cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A1 to putative active as well as inactive metabolites. Metabolic inactivation of the molecule has been thwarted by isosteric replacement of hydrogen with fluorine atoms at positions around the benzothiazole nucleus. The lipophilicity of these compounds presents limitations for drug formulation and bioavailability. To overcome this problem, water soluble prodrugs have been synthesised by conjugation of alanyl- and lysyl-amide hydrochloride salts to the exocyclic primary amine function of 2-(4-aminophenyl)benzothiazoles. The prodrugs retain selectivity with significant in vitro growth inhibitory potency against the same sensitive cell lines as their parent amine, but are inactive against cell lines inherently resistant to 2-(4-aminophenyl)benzothiazoles. Alanyl and lysyl prodrugs rapidly and quantitatively revert to their parent amine in sensitive and insensitive cell lines in vitro. Liberated parent compounds are sequestered and metabolised by sensitive cells only; similarly, CYP1A1 activity and protein expression are selectively induced in sensitive carcinoma cells. Amino acid prodrugs meet the criteria of aqueous solubility, chemical stability and quantitative reversion to parent molecule, and thus are suitable for in vivo preclinical evaluation.

Antitumour benzothiazoles. Part 15: The synthesis and physico-chemical properties of 2-(4-aminophenyl)benzothiazole sulfamate salt derivatives.

A series of sulfamate salt derivatives of the potent and selective 2-(4-aminophenyl)benzothiazole antitumour agents has been prepared and their evaluation as potential prodrugs for parenteral administration carried out. The salts were sparingly soluble under aqueous conditions (pH 4-9), and degradation to the active free amine was shown to occur under strongly acidic conditions. The salts were found to be markedly less active than their parent amines against sensitive human tumour cell lines in vitro.

Antitumor benzothiazoles. 14. Synthesis and in vitro biological properties of fluorinated 2-(4-aminophenyl)benzothiazoles.

Synthetic routes to a series of mono- and difluorinated 2-(4-amino-3-substituted-phenyl)benzothiazoles have been devised. Whereas mixtures of regioisomeric 5- and 7-fluoro-benzothiazoles were formed from the established Jacobsen cyclization of precursor 3-fluoro-thiobenzanilides, two modifications to this general process have allowed the synthesis of pure samples of these target compounds. Fluorinated 2-(4-aminophenyl)benzothiazoles were potently cytotoxic (GI(50) < 1 nM) in vitro in sensitive human breast MCF-7 (ER+) and MDA 468 (ER-) cell lines but inactive (GI(50) > 10 microM) against PC 3 prostate, nonmalignant HBL 100 breast, and HCT 116 colon cells. The biphasic dose-response relationship characteristically shown by the benzothiazole series against sensitive cell lines was exhibited by the 4- and 6-fluoro-benzothiazoles (10b,d) but not by the 5- and 7-fluoro-benzothiazoles (10h,i). The most potent broad spectrum agent in the NCI cell panel was 2-(4-amino-3-methylphenyl)-5-fluorobenzothiazole (10h) which, unlike the 6-fluoro isomer (10d), produces no exportable metabolites in the presence of sensitive MCF-7 cells. Induction of cytochrome P450 CYP1A1, a crucial event in determining the antitumor specificity of this series of benzothiazoles, was not compromised. 10h is currently the focus of pharmaceutical and preclinical development.

The discovery of the potent and selective antitumour agent 2-(4-amino-3-methylphenyl)benzothiazole (DF 203) and related compounds.

The development of a series of potent and selective antitumour agents, the 2-(4-aminophenyl)benzothiazoles, is described. The original lead compound in this series, CJM 126, exhibits nanomolar in vitro activity against certain human breast cancer cell lines. Structure-activity relationship studies within this simple antitumour benzothiazole pharmacophore revealed that 2-(4-aminophenyl) benzothiazoles bearing a 3'- methyl, 3'-bromo, 3'-iodo or 3'-chloro substituent are especially potent, extending the spectrum of in vitro antitumour activity to ovarian, lung, renal and colon carcinoma cell lines with a remarkable selectivity profile (NCI analysis). Other interesting features of this series include the highly unusual transient biphasic dose response relationship and possible unique mechanism of action (NCI COMPARE analysis). 2-(4-Amino-3-methylphenyl)benzothiazole (DF 203) has been selected as the lead compound in this series on the basis of superior in vivo results

Role of Cyp1A1 in modulation of antitumor properties of the novel agent 2-(4-amino-3-methylphenyl)benzothiazole (DF 203, NSC 674495) in human breast cancer cells.

2-(4-Amino-3-methylphenyl)benzothiazole (DF 203, NSC 674495) is a candidate antitumor agent with potent and selective activity against human-derived tumor cell lines in vitro and in vivo. Only sensitive cell lines (e.g., MCF-7) were able to accumulate and metabolize DF 203, forming the main inactive metabolite, 2-(4-amino-3-methylphenyl)-6-hydroxybenzothiazole (6-OH 203). Selective metabolism may therefore underlie its antitumor profile. DF 203 6-hydroxylase activity by MCF-7 cells was not constitutive but induced only after pretreatment of cells with DF 203, 3-methylcholanthrene, or beta-naphthoflavone. 6-Hydroxylation was strongly inhibited by either goat antirat cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1) serum or alpha-naphthoflavone. Both alpha-naphthoflavone and 6-OH 203 abrogated DF 203-induced growth inhibition. Microsomes from genetically engineered human B-lymphoblastoid cells expressing CYP1A1, CYP1B1, or CYP2D6 metabolized DF 203 to 6-OH 203. Immunoblot analysis detected significantly enhanced CYP1A1 protein in a panel of sensitive breast cancer cell lines after exposure to DF 203. Neither constitutive expression nor induction of CYP1A1 protein was detected in nonresponsive breast (HBL 100, MDA-MB-435, and MCF-7/ADR) and prostate (PC 3 and DU 145) cancer cell lines. The expression of CYP1B1 was also modulated by DF 203 in the same sensitive cell lines. However, of the two isoforms, only CYP1A1 activity was irreversibly inhibited by DF 203 and significantly inhibited by 6-OH 203. In sensitive cell lines only, [14C]DF 203-derived radioactivity bound covalently to a Mr 50,000, protein which was immunoprecipitated by CYP1A1 antiserum. The covalent binding of [14C]DF 203 to recombinant CYP1A1 enzyme was NADPH-dependent and reduced by 6-OH 203 and glutathione. CYP1A1 appears essential for the metabolism of DF 203 and may have a pivotal, yet undefined, role in its antitumor activity.

Mechanisms of acquired resistance to 2-(4-aminophenyl)benzothiazole (CJM 126, NSC 34445).

2-(4-aminophenyl)benzothiazole (CJM 126) elicits potent growth inhibition in human-derived breast carcinoma cell lines, including oestrogen receptor-positive (ER+) MCF-7wt cells. Analogues substituted in the 3' position with I (DF 129), CH3 (DF 203), or Cl (DF 229) possess an extended profile of antitumour activity with remarkable selective activity in cell lines derived from solid tumours associated with poor prognosis, e.g. breast, ovarian, renal and colon. Growth inhibition occurs via unknown, possibly novel mechanism(s) of action. Two cell lines have been derived from sensitive MCF-7wt breast cancer cells (IC50 value < 0.001 microM) following long-term exposure to 10 nM or 10 microM CJM 126, MCF-7(10 nM 126) and MCF-7(10 microM 126) respectively, which demonstrate acquired resistance to this agent (IC50 > 30 microM) and cross-resistance to DF 129, DF 203 and DF 229. Sensitivity to tamoxifen, benzo[a]pyrene (BP), mitomyin C, doxorubicin and actinomycin D is retained. Resistance may, in part, be conferred by the constitutively increased expression of bcl-2 and p53 proteins detected in MCF-7(10 nM 126) and MCF-7(10 microM 126 lysates. Significantly decreased depletion of CJM 126 (30 microM) from nutrient medium of MCF-7(10 microM 126) cells was observed with predominantly cytoplasmic drug localization and negligible DNA strand breaks. N-acetyl transferase (NAT)1 and NAT2 proteins were expressed by all three MCF-7 sub-lines, but significantly higher expression of NAT2 was accompanied by enhanced acetylation efficacy in MCF-7(10 nM 126) cells. In contrast, CJM 126 (30 microM) was rapidly depleted from nutrient medium of MCF-7(10 microM 126) culture and accessed nuclei of these cells exerting damage to DNA. The major biotransformation product of CJM 126 in MCF-7(10 microM 126) cells was 2-(4-aminophenyl)-6-hydroxybenzothiazole (6-OH 126). This metabolite possessed no antitumour activity. Accordingly, in this sub-line, low constitutive expression and activity of cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A1 was detected.

Antitumour benzothiazoles. Part 10: the synthesis and antitumour activity of benzothiazole substituted quinol derivatives.

The synthesis of a series of new antitumour agents, the benzothiazole substituted quinol ethers and esters, is reported via the hypervalent iodine mediated oxidation of hydroxylated 2-phenylbenzothiazoles. The products were found to be active in vitro against human colon and breast cancer cell lines with IC50 values in the nanomolar range.

Antitumor benzothiazoles. 8. Synthesis, metabolic formation, and biological properties of the C- and N-oxidation products of antitumor 2-(4-aminophenyl)benzothiazoles.

2-(4-Aminophenyl)benzothiazoles 1 and their N-acetylated forms have been converted to C- and N-hydroxylated derivatives to investigate the role of metabolic oxidation in the mode of action of this series of compounds. 2-(4-Amino-3-methylphenyl)benzothiazole (1a, DF 203, NSC 674495) is a novel and potent antitumor agent with selective growth inhibitory properties against human cancer cell lines. Very low IC(50) values (<0.1 microM) were encountered in the most sensitive breast cancer cell lines, MCF-7 and T-47D, whereas renal cell line TK-10 was weakly inhibited by 1a. Cell lines from the same tissue origin, MDA-MB-435 (breast), CAKI-1 (renal), and A498 (renal), were insensitive to 1a. Accumulation and metabolism of 1a were observed in sensitive cell lines only, with the highest rate of metabolism occurring in the most sensitive MCF-7 and T-47D cells. Thus, differential uptake and metabolism of 1a by cancer cell lines may underlie its selective profile of anticancer activity. A major metabolite in these sensitive cell lines has been identified as 2-(4-amino-3-methylphenyl)-6-hydroxybenzothiazole (6c). Hydroxylation of 1a was not detected in the homogenate of previously untreated MCF-7, T-47D, and TK-10 cells but was readily observed in homogenates of sensitive cells that were pretreated with 1a. Accumulation and covalent binding of [(14)C]1a derived radioactivity was observed in the sensitive MCF-7 cell line but not in the insensitive MDA-MB-435 cell line. The mechanism of growth inhibition by 1a, which is unknown, may be dependent on the differential metabolism of the drug to an activated form by sensitive cell lines only and its covalent binding to an intracellular protein. However, the 6-hydroxy derivative 6c is not the 'active' metabolite since, like all other C- and N-hydroxylated benzothiazoles examined in this study, it is devoid of antitumor properties in vitro.

Antitumor benzothiazoles. 7. Synthesis of 2-(4-acylaminophenyl)benzothiazoles and investigations into the role of acetylation in the antitumor activities of the parent amines.

2-(4-Aminophenyl)benzothiazoles display potent and selective antitumor activity against inter alia breast, ovarian, colon, and renal cell lines, but their mechanism of action, though yet to be defined, may be novel. Metabolism is suspected to play a central role in the mode of action of these benzothiazoles since drug uptake and biotransformation were observed in sensitive cell lines (e.g., breast MCF-7 and MDA 468 cells) in vitro, whereas insensitive cell lines (e.g., prostate PC 3 cells) showed negligible uptake and biotransformation. N-Acyl derivatives of the arylamines have been synthesized, and in vitro studies confirm N-acetylation and oxidation as the main metabolic transformations of 2-(4-aminophenyl)benzothiazoles, with the predominant process being dictated by the nature of the 3'-substituent. The prototype amine 3 underwent mainly N-acetylation in vitro, while 3'-substituted analogues 4 and 5 were primarily oxidized. N-Acetylation of 4 to 11 exerts a drastic dyschemotherapeutic effect in vitro, but acetylation of the halogeno congeners 5-7 gave acetylamines 12-14 which substantially retain selective antitumor activity. In vivo pharmacokinetic studies in rats confirmed rapid and exclusive N-acetylation of the 3'-methyl analogue 4, but less acetylation with the 3'-chloro analogue 5. Distinct expression patterns of N-acetyltransferase NAT1 and NAT2 have been demonstrated in our panel of cell lines.

Influence of 2-(4-aminophenyl)benzothiazoles on growth of human ovarian carcinoma cells in vitro and in vivo.

2-(4-Aminophenyl)benzothiazole molecules substituted in the 3 position of the phenyl ring with a halogen atom or methyl moiety comprise a group of compounds that potently inhibit specific human ovarian carcinoma cell lines. GI50 values fall within the nM range. Inhibition is highly selective -- whereas the GI50 value in IGROV1 cells consistently lies at < 10 nM, SK-OV-3 presents GI50 values > 10 microM. Biphasic dose-response relationships were observed in sensitive cell lines after 48-h drug exposure. COMPARE analyses revealed the very similar profiles of anti-tumour activity of 3-substituted benzothiazoles and 5-(4-dimethylaminophenylazo)quinoline, with Pearson correlation coefficients > 0.65. Anti-tumour activity extended to preliminary in vivo tests. The growth of OVCAR-3 cells in polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) hollow fibres implanted in the peritoneal cavity of mice was inhibited by more than 50% after intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of 2-(4-amino-3-methylphenyl)benzothiazole (10 mg kg(-1)), 2-(4-amino-3-chlorophenyl)benzothiazole (100 mg kg(-1)) or 2-(4-amino-3-bromophenyl)benzothiazole (150 mg kg(-1)). The growth of OVCAR-3 tumours in subcutaneously (s.c.) implanted hollow fibres was retarded by more than 50% after treatment with 2-(4-amino-3-methylphenyl)benzothiazole (6.7 and 10 mg kg(-1)). In addition, the growth of s.c. OVCAR-3 xenografts was delayed after exposure to DF 203. However, the relationship between drug concentration and growth inhibition was inverse.