Correlation between mouse potency and in vitro relative potency for human papillomavirus Type 16 virus-like particles and Gardasil vaccine samples.

An in vitro relative potency (IVRP) assay has been developed as an alternative to the mouse potency assay used to release Merck's human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, Gardasil, for early phase clinical trials. The mouse potency assay is a classical, in vivo assay, which requires 4-6 weeks to complete and exhibits variability on the order of 40% relative standard deviation (RSD). The IVRP assay is a sandwich-type immunoassay that is used to measure relative antigenicity of the vaccine product. The IVRP assay can be completed in three days, has a variability of approximately 10% RSD and does not require the sacrifice of live animals. Because antigen detection is achieved using H16.V5, a neutralizing monoclonal antibody, which binds to a clinically-relevant epitope, the relative antigenicity measured by the IVRP assay is believed to be a good predictor of in vivo potency. In this study, the relationship between immunogenicity, as measured by the mouse potency assay and antigenicity as measured by the IVRP assay, is demonstrated. Freshly manufactured and aged samples produced using two different manufacturing processes were tested using both methods. The results demonstrate that there is an inverse correlation between the IVRP and mouse potency assays. Additionally, clinical results indicate IVRP is predictive of human immunogenicity. Thus, antigenicity, as defined by the H16.V5 epitope, can be used as a surrogate for immunogenicity and the IVRP assay is suitable for use as the sole potency test for Gardasil samples.

Evaluation of the purity of a purified, inactivated hepatitis A vaccine (VAQTA).

Manufacture of VAQTA, an inactivated hepatitis A virus vaccine, includes extensive purification of the intact virus particle to remove endogenous components from the host cell culture lysate as well as compounds introduced in the upstream purification process. Analysis of the final purified hepatitis A virus product by SDS-PAGE prior to inactivation shows that greater than 95% of the protein in the preparation is found in four protein bands, which have been confirmed to be hepatitis A virus capsid proteins VP0, VP1, VP2 and VP3 based on Western blot and mass spectrometry analyses. Validation of the manufacturing process and direct analysis of the final product were used to demonstrate that no other specific host cell-derived components are detected and that process residuals are all below the limits of detection of the assays used. Establishment of a rigorous standard of high purity for this product was pursued to minimize the impact of impurities during clinical development of this product and will facilitate the incorporation of this product into combination vaccines.

Size and conformational stability of the hepatitis A virus used to prepare VAQTA, a highly purified inactivated vaccine.

A variety of biophysical techniques have been employed to examine the size and conformational integrity of highly purified hepatitis A virus (HAV) in solution (purified HAV particles are subsequently formalin-inactivated and adsorbed to aluminum salts for use as the vaccine VAQTA). The size of HAV particles was assessed by a combination of electron microscopy, sedimentation velocity, and dynamic light scattering. The effect of ionic strength and temperature on the overall conformational stability of HAV was determined by a combination of intrinsic HAV protein fluorescence, fluorescent probes of both RNA and protein, and UV-visible spectroscopy. A major structural change in HAV occurs near 60 degrees C with the addition of 0.2 M magnesium chloride enhancing the thermal stability of HAV by approximately 10 degrees C. Salt concentrations above 0.2 M, however, decrease the solubility of HAV. The effect of pH on the physical properties of HAV particles was monitored by dynamic light scattering, analytical size exclusion HPLC, and interaction with fluorescent dyes. HAV particles undergo a substantially reversible association/aggregation at pH values below 6 with the concomitant exposure of previously buried hydrophobic surfaces below pH 4. These results are in good agreement with previous studies of HAV thermal stability under extreme conditions in which the irreversible inactivation of the viral particles was measured primarily by the loss of viral infectivity. The wide variety of biophysical measurements described in this work, however, directly monitor structural changes as they occur, thus providing a molecular basis with which to monitor HAV stability during purification and storage.

Neuroprotective efficacy of lifarizine (RS-87476) in a simplified rat survival model of 2 vessel occlusion.

1. A new, modified rat two vessel occlusion model (with hypotension) was established and the neuroprotective efficacy of the novel agent lifarizine (RS-87476) was examined. 2. The two vessel occlusion model used in the study was a modification of the model described in the literature, whereby we have obviated the need to use a muscle relaxant and intubate the trachea to provide ventilatory support by providing a tight fitting face mask attached to the ventilator. Furthermore, the need to combine exsanguination and additional pharmacological means of inducing the mandatory hypotension (50 mmHg), required to decrease brain blood perfusion pressure, has been removed by simply manipulating the concentration of the already present halothane anaesthetic. 3. The appropriate level of hypotension having been reached, microvascular clips were applied to bilaterally occlude the common carotid arteries for 12 min. This resulted in a loss of the cortical EEG activity. Local cerebral blood flow was measured 6 min into the occlusion period, using the fully quantitative [14C]-iodoantipyrine autoradiographic technique, in a separate group of rats (n = 5). This illustrated the lack of any blood flow, in the areas under study, during the period when there was an isoelectric cortical EEG pattern. 4. The high grade global ischaemic lesion which occurred gave quantifiable neuronal damage in several vulnerable regions of the brain, namely, the hippocampal CA1 sub-field, cortex, thalamus, striatum, and cerebellar brain stem (Purkinje cells). 5. Following the global ischaemic insult the rats were allowed to recover for 72 h before assessment of the damage, during which time one group of rats (n = 11) received 100 micrograms kg-1 lifarizine i.a. 5 min post-occlusion, 500 micrograms kg-1 lifarizine i.p. 15 min post-occlusion, and 500 micrograms kg-1 lifarizine i.p. twice daily for 72 h. A second group of rats (n = 12) was treated with appropriate volumes of vehicle (0.4 ml kg-1 i.a. and 2 ml kg-1 i.p.) at identical time points. 6. Histopathological damage was assessed, from cresyl violet and haematoxyline/eosin stained sections, using a scoring system of 0-6 (no damage-complete neuronal death). The dosing regimen of lifarizine gave reduced damage in the hippocampal CA1 sub-field (4.1 +/- 0.3 to 2.8 +/- 0.6) and striatum (1.7 +/- 0.3 to 1.2 +/- 0.3) and significant neuroprotection in the anterior cortex (2.0 +/- 0.2 to 1.2 +/- 0.2; p < 0.05), thalamus (1.5 +/- 0.2 to 0.8 +/- 0.2; p < 0.01), posterior cortex (1.5 +/- 0.2 to 1.0 +/- 0.2; p < 0.05) and cerebellar brain stem (0.9 +/- 0.2 to 0.4 +/- 0.1; p < 0.01). The overall mean brain score was significantly reduced (from 1.5 +/- 0.1 to 0.9 +/- 0.2). 7. These data show that the newly modified 2 vessel occlusion model produced a quantifiable level of ischaemic damage and that the novel agent lifarizine is neuroprotective in the model.

Inhibition of DNA synthesis in P388 lymphocytic leukemia cells of BDF1 mice by cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) and its derivatives.

cis-Diamminedichloroplatinum(II) (cisplatin; cDDP) derivatives were found to afford T/C% values greater than 200 against the growth of P388 lymphocytic leukemia cells in vivo. The parent compound, cDDP, preferentially inhibited DNA synthesis. The RNA synthesis was elevated, whereas protein synthesis was unaffected after two or three daily ip doses. Radiolabeled drug studies demonstrated cellular uptake and binding of cDDP derivatives to the DNA molecule. cis-Diamminedichloroplatinum(II) (cDDP) treatment resulted in DNA strand scission after a single dose, but caused cross-linking of DNA strands after two or three ip doses. There was an accumulation of deoxynucleoside triphosphates [d(NTP)s] on day 2 and 3, indicating that incorporation of nucleotides into the DNA strand had been blocked. Thymidine kinase, thymidine monophosphate kinase, carbamoyl phosphate synthetase, and aspartate transcarbamoylase activities were inhibited in vivo after three doses of cDDP at 1.5 mg/kg/day. However, only the inhibition of a cytoplasmic preparation of DNA polymerase alpha by cDDP appeared to be directly related to the inhibition of DNA synthesis and the accumulation of d(NTP) pool levels. Thus, the primary target for cDDP appears to be DNA itself, although direct inhibition of DNA polymerase alpha may play a minor role in the inhibition of DNA replication by cDDP.

The anti-inflammatory activity of 5H-dibenz[c,e]azepine-5,7(6H)dione, 6,7-dihydro-5H-dibenz[c,e]azepine, N-benzoylbenzamide and 1H-benz[d,e]isoquinoline-1,3(2H)dione derivatives in rodents.

A series of N-substituted 5H-dibenz[c,e]azepin-5,7(6H)dione, 6-substituted 6,7-dihydro-5H-dibenz[c,e]azepine, 1H-benz[d,e]isoquinoline-1,3(2H)dione and N-benzoyl derivatives was shown to have anti-inflammatory and local analgesic activity in rodents. 6-(4-Chlorophenyl)-5H-dibenz[c,e]azepin-5,7(6H)dione demonstrated greater than 50% inhibition of induced edema and the writhing reflex at 25 mg/kg, I.P. in mice. 6-Methyl-6,7-dihydro-5H-dibenz[c,e]azepine and the N-butyl and N-pentyl derivatives of the dibenz-[c,e]azepine and N-benzoylbenzamide series demonstrated potent activity in both screens. The 1H-benz[d,e]isoquinoline-1,3(2H)diones were generally less active than the other three chemical classes of agents tested. However, the 2-(methylthio)ethyl derivative of this series demonstrates good activity in both screens. These agents appeared to be as potent as the standards, indomethacin and phenylbutazone, as anti-inflammatory agents in these animal models. Selected agents, e.g. 6-(4-methylphenyl)-5H-dibenz[c,e]azepin-5,7(6H)dione demonstrated anti-arthritic and anti-gout activities in rodents. The N-methyl and N-butyl derivatives of 6,7-dihydro-5H-dibenz[c,e]azepine afforded good anti-pleurisy activity in rats at 25 mg/kg x 2. The agents which demonstrated potent anti-inflammatory action were found to inhibit acid lysosomal hydrolytic enzyme activities in mouse liver and macrophages at 10(-5) M concentrations. Trypsin, elastase and collagenase activities were also inhibited by the derivatives. Prostaglandin synthetase activity of bovine seminal vesicles and mouse macrophages was inhibited by the compounds at 10(-5) M concentrations.

Inhibition of nucleic acid synthesis in P388 lymphocytic leukemia cells in culture by cis-platinum derivatives.

Cis-diaminedichloroplatinum(II) [cDDP] and three related derivatives Pt(mal)(NH3)2, PtCl2(dach) and Pt(mal) (dach) have been observed to possess cytotoxicity against the growth of P388 lymphocytic leukemia cells. DNA synthesis in P388 cells was inhibited by the agents in a manner which was consistent with their ED50 values for cytotoxicity. When P388 cells were treated with these platinum complexes in vitro at doses which caused more than 80% inhibition of DNA synthesis, no significant inhibition was observed for thymidine, kinase, thymidine monophosphate kinase, carbamoyl phosphate synthetase, or aspartate transcarbamoylase activities. Thus, there was no evidence that these agents inhibited de novo purine, pyrmidine, or deoxynucleotide synthesis. All of the agents did inhibit the nuclear DNA polymerase activity, but the extent of inhibition was 20% or less at doses which caused greater than 70% inhibition of DNA synthesis. Thus, the inhibition of DNA synthesis appeared to be due to cisplatinum(II) drug binding to the DNA bases. This was estimated to be 1 atom of platinum per 1500-3000 DNA base pairs which is consistent with other studies. The platinum complexes with chloro leaving ligands caused considerable DNA strand scission by 24 h at 10 times the ED50 dose, most likely a measure of impending cell death. In contrast, the platinum complexes with malonato leaving ligands did not cause significant strand scission by 24 h at similar doses. They also exhibited a significant delay in the inhibition of DNA synthesis. These data were interpreted as resulting from slower monoadduct to diadduct conversion, but it is not possible to eliminate the possibility of a different mode of interaction with DNA or a different mechanism of cytotoxicity for the malonato compounds.

The inhibition of P338 lymphocytic leukemia DNA polymerase alpha activity by cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) and related derivatives.

Cis-platinum derivatives were observed to inhibit the activity of DNA polymerase alpha of P388 lymphocytic leukemia cells. A 600g nuclear preparation of the polymerase alpha was inhibited by cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) [cDDP], diamminemalonatoplatinum(II) [MAL], (1,2-diaminocyclohexane)-dichloroplatinum(II) [DACH-Pt-CL2], and (1,2-diaminocyclohexane)malonato-platinum(II) [DACH-Pt-MAL]. cDDP was a more potent inhibitor of the enzyme activity which was positively correlated with the observed inhibition of DNA synthesis of P388 cells in vivo and in vitro. The inhibition of the 600g preparation by cDDP could be partially reversed by the addition of exogenous ctDNA, but 35% inhibition was not retreivable by adding new template. Isolation of the P388 DNA polymerase alpha enzyme by DEAE column chromatography led to an enzyme with 100 fold purification, which was sensitive to N-ethyl maleimide at 0.1 mM concentration. cDDP inhibited the activity of this enzyme in a dose dependent manner. However, MAL, DACH-Pt-Cl2 and DACH-Pt-MAL afforded no inhibition, nor did the latter two derivatives bind to the enzyme. cDDP inhibition of the activity of purified enzyme was partially reversed by the addition of exogenous ctDNA and by the addition of dGTP, whereas addition of other d(NTP)s had no effect on the recovery of the enzyme activity. These studies suggest that cDDP inhibits DNA polymerase alpha activity and that the inhibition is not the sole mechanism of the action of the drug in suppression of DNA synthesis and cell death. Preliminary studies suggest that the drug may bind to the apoprotein of the enzyme in a competitive manner with dGTP.

Disposition of the hypolipidaemic agent, 2,3-dihydrophthalazine-1,4-dione, in Sprague Dawley rats.

The disposition of [14C]2,3-dihydrophthalazine-1,4-dione, a potent hypolipidaemic agent, has been determined after both intravenous and oral administration. Both the routes of administration afforded multi-exponential disposition with an estimated t1/2 of approximately 75 h. After oral administration, the drug was observed to be absorbed rapidly from the intestine and distributed quickly to all tissues of the body. A large quantity of the 14C-radioactivity was found in the skin and carcass. Approximately 35% of the administered radioactivity was excreted in urine after oral administration and 11% in the faeces. Approximately 66% of the radioactivity excreted in urine was the parent drug. There was evidence of an additional metabolite which accounted for 28% of the urinary radioactive excretion. The parent drug has little serum protein binding, is highly water soluble, and is probably taken up by cells by passive diffusion.

Disposition of cisplatin derivatives -3H-cis-1,2-diaminocyclohexanedichloroplatinum (II) and 3H-cis-1,2-diaminocyclohexanemalonatoplatinum (II) in BDF1 mice.

The disposition of 3H-cis-1,2-diaminocyclohexanedichloroplatinum (II) and 3H-cis-1,2-diaminocyclohexanemalonatoplatinum (II) was investigated in P388 tumor-bearing BDF1 mice. Fifteen minutes after IP administration of the drugs, the serum contained 12% of the 3H-chloride derivative and 20% of the malonate derivative. Both drugs distributed to all organs of the body but were not sequestered in any major internal organ. However, substantial amounts of the drugs were found in the carcass and skin. After 24 hr, approximately 43% of the radioactivity was excreted in the urine. Only 5 to 8% of the radioactivity was eliminated in the feces. The radioactivity half-life (t1/2 beta) for the 3H-chloride derivative was estimated from urinary excretion data to be 22.7 hr, and 30.0 hr for the 3H-malonate derivative.

Inhibition of nucleic acid synthesis in P-388 lymphocytic leukemia tumor cells by helenalin and bis(helenalinyl)malonate in vivo.

Although the parent sesquiterpene lactone, helenalin, and its derivative, bis(helenalinyl)malonate, are structurally related chemically, they demonstrate differences in their antineoplastic activity, with bis(helenalinyl)malonate being much more active against P-388 lymphocytic leukemia cell growth (T/C% = 261) compared with helenalin (T/C% = 162). Previous studies have shown that both agents strongly inhibit protein synthesis in vivo by greater than 70% after 3 d of administration and in vitro by 50% at a 100 microM concentration of drug. This inhibition of protein synthesis of P-388 cells may be partially responsible for the cytotoxicity of the drug. These agents also inhibit nucleic acid synthesis in vivo, with DNA synthesis being suppressed by greater than 90% after 2 d of administration of drugs at the therapeutic dose. Of the sulfhydryl-bearing enzymes involved in nucleic acid synthesis that were assayed, only the activities of inosine-5'-monophosphate (IMP) dehydrogenase and the ribonucleotide reductase complex were inhibited by greater than 50% by these sulfhydryl-reactive drugs, which would account for the observed inhibition of nucleic acid synthesis in the P-388 cells. The inhibition of the activities of these enzymes lowered the deoxyribonucleotide levels in P-388 cells, which would explain the overall suppression of DNA synthesis by the sesquiterpene lactones.

Effects of 2,3-dihydrophthalazine-1,4-dione on Sprague Dawley rats lipid metabolism and serum lipoproteins.

2,3-Dihydrophthalazine-1,4-dione effectively lowers serum levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in Sprague Dawley rats after two weeks, after which the cholesterol levels continued to decline. The maximum serum lipid lowering effect on cholesterol or triglyceride levels was during the seventh and eighth week of drug administration. Similar magnitudes of reduction in lipids were observed in hyperlipidemic diet induced mice after four weeks of drug administration of 20 mg/kg.day. Lipid levels in liver, small intestines and aorta wall tissue were significantly reduced after eight weeks of drug administration, but no significant increase in fecal lipids was noted. The cholesterol content in the chylomicrons and in the VLDL and LDL-fractions was significantly reduced whereas HDL cholesterol was elevated by 112%. Neutral lipids and the triglyceride content were not altered in the chylomicron, VLDL and LDL; however, reductions of both levels were observed in the HDL fraction. The phospholipid content was reduced in the LDL and elevated in the other three fractions. Incorporation studies into lipoprotein fractions showed a decrease in cholesterol incorporation in chylomicrons, VLDL and LDL with an increase in HDL cholesterol incorporation. Palmitic acid incorporation was reduced in the chylomicron, VLDL and HDL fractions. 32P-Incorporation was reduced in the HDL fraction. Leucine incorporation into the apoproteins of all four fractions was elevated. Rate limiting enzymes involved in de novo cholesterol, fatty acid and triglyceride synthesis were inhibited by 2,3-dihydrophthalazine-1,4-dione after eight weeks of administration. There was no evidence that the drug caused an increase in peroxisome formation as measured by liver catalase activity nor the release of lysosomal hydrolytic enzymes as measured by acid phosphatase and cathepsin activities. The drug afforded no deleterious effects on clinical chemistry parameters after eight weeks administration.

Hypolipidemic activity of o-(N-phthalimido)acetophenone in Sprague Dawley rats.

o-(N-Phthalimido)acetophenone has proven to be an effective hypolipidemic agent in rats at 20 mg/kg/day orally. The agent suppressed the activity of the rate-limiting enzyme of the liver involved in de novo synthesis of triglycerides. The synthetic rate-limiting enzyme for cholesterol esters was also inhibited by the drug in vivo. o-(N-Phthalimido)acetophenone lowered cholesterol in the liver and the aorta wall and generally caused an increase in phospholipids in body tissues. Serum lipoproteins were modulated by the drug with a decrease in cholesterol and triglycerides in the chylomicron, very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL), and low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and an increase in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. The phospholipid content was increased in the chylomicron, VLDL, and LDL fractions. In hyperlipidemic rats, o-(N-phthalimido)acetophenone lowered elevated blood lipid levels at 20 mg/kg/day orally after 3 weeks of administration. The hypolipidemic rat after drug treatment had a lower LDL cholesterol and a higher HDL cholesterol content, which is therapeutically desirable to protect against cardiovascular disease.

The effects of genkwadaphnin and gnidilatidin on the growth of P-388, L-1210 leukemia and KB carcinoma cells in vitro.

Daphnane diterpene esters have previously been shown to have antineoplastic activity in vivo against the growth of P-388 lymphocytic leukemia cells. These studies demonstrate cytotoxic activity of genkwadaphnin and gnidilatidin against P-388 lymphocytic leukemia, L-1210 lymphoid leukemia and human KB carcinoma cell growth in vitro. At the ED50 values in the respective tumor lines DNA synthesis was preferentially suppressed in all three cell lines. RNA synthesis was essentially unaffected by the agents. Protein synthesis inhibition by the two agents demonstrated selectivity, e.g. in P-388 cells significant inhibition, in L-1210 cells marginal inhibition and in KB cells no inhibition was observed at these concentrations. Multiple sites in DNA synthesis were found to be inhibited by the daphnane diterpene esters. Two to three times the ED50 concentration in the respective tumor lines was required to observe suppression of DNA synthesis. Purine de novo synthesis appeared to be the major site of inhibition, with inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase and phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate amido transferase activities being inhibited in all three tissue lines. Dihydrofolate reductase activity was inhibited, significant only in the P-388 and KB cells. The magnitude of the enzyme suppression by the agents varied with the tumor line. However, the degree of enzyme suppression was of sufficient magnitude to account for the observed purine and DNA synthesis inhibition by the daphnane diterpene esters.