Search

The substituted ethyl-2-phenacyl-3-phenylpyrrole-4-carboxylates were synthesized by a condensation of a beta-chloroenal and an alpha-aminoketone under neutral conditions. They proved to be potent cytotoxic agents against the growth of murine L1210 and P388 leukemias and human HL-60 promyelocytic leukemia, HuT-78 lymphoma, and HeLa-S(3) uterine carcinoma. Selective compounds were active against the growth of Tmolt(3) and Tmolt(4) leukemias and THP-1 acute monocytic leukemia, liver Hepe-2, ovary 1-A9, ileum HCT-8 adenocarcinoma, and osteosarcoma HSO. A mode of action study in HL-60 cells demonstrated that DNA and protein syntheses were inhibited after 60 min at 100 microM. DNA and RNA polymerases, PRPP-amido transferase, dihydrofolate reductase, thymidylate synthase, and TMP kinase activities were interfered with by the agent with reduction of d[NTP] pools. Nonspecific interaction with the bases of DNA and cross-linking of the DNA may play a role in the mode of action of these carboxylates.

Vanada- and niobatricarbadecaboranyl monohalide complexes proved to be potent cytotoxic agents against murine and human leukemia and lymphoma growth as well as HeLa suspended uterine carcinoma. The vanada complex reduced the growth of KB nasopharynx, Hepe liver, HCT-8 ileum and 1-A9 ovary solid carcinomas. A mode of action study in human HL-60 promyelocytic leukemia cells showed that DNA and purine de novo syntheses were significantly inhibited with suppression of the regulatory enzymes activities of DNA polymerase α and PRPP-amido transferase. There was moderate inhibition of RNA synthesis and m-RNA polymerase activity. These complexes did not inhibit human topoisomerase I or II activity, although the niobium complex nicked the DNA. The complexes did activate caspases 3, 6 and 9 which are linked to apoptosis programmed cell death. These vanada- and niobatricarbadecaboranyl monohalide complexes appear to be more specific in their effects on leukemia cell metabolism than other sandwich complexes which have broad effects on multiple enzymes.

N6-Benzoyladenine-cyanoborane (2), and 6-triphenylphosphonylpurine-cyanoborane (3) were selected for investigation of cytotoxicity in murine and human tumor cell lines, effects on human HL-60 leukemic metabolism and DNA strand scission to determine the feasibility of these compounds as clinical antineoplastic agents. Compounds 2 and 3 both showed effective cytotoxicity based on ED50 values less than 4 μg/ml for L1210, P388, HL-60, Tmolt3, HUT-78, HeLa-S3 uterine, ileum HCT-8, and liver Hepe-2. Compound 2 had activity against ovary 1-A9, while compound 3 was only active against prostate PL and glioma UM. Neither compound was active against the growth of lung 549, breast MCF-7, osteosarcoma HSO, melanoma SK2, KB nasopharynx, and THP-1 acute monocytic leukemia. In mode of action studies in human leukemia HL-60 cells, both compounds demonstrated inhibition of DNA and protein syntheses after 60 min at 100 μM. These compounds inhibited RNA synthesis to a lesser extent. The utilization of the DNA template was suppressed by the compounds as determined by inhibition of the activities of DNA polymerase α, m-RNA polymerase, r-RNA polymerase and t-RNA polymerase, which would cause adequate inhibition of the synthesis of both DNA and RNA. Both compounds markedly inhibited dihydrofolate reductase activity, especially in compound 2. The compounds appeared to have caused cross-linking of the DNA strands after 24 hr at 100 μM in HL-60 cells, which was consistent with the observed increased in ct-DNA viscosity after 24 hr at 100 μM. The compounds had no inhibitory effects on DNA topoisomerase I and II activities or DNA-protein linked breaks. Neither compound interacted with the DNA molecule itself through alkylation of the nucleotide bases nor caused DNA interculation between base pairs. Overall, these antineoplastic agents caused reduction of DNA and protein replication, which would lead to killing of cancer cells.