In vitro cytotoxicity of a novel antitumor antibiotic, spicamycin derivative, in human lung cancer cell lines

Spicamycin (SPM), produced by Streptomyces alanosinicus, induces potent differentiation in a human leukemia cell line, HL60. One of the derivatives of SPM (SPM-D), KRN5500, has a wide range of antitumor activity against human cancer cell lines. We examined the cytotoxicity of SPM-D in small and non-small cell lung cancer cell lines using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide and colony assays. SPM-D was active against a wide range of lung cancer cell lines. All three cisplatin (CDDP)-resistant cell lines established in our laboratory (PC-9/CDDP, PC-14/CDDP, and H69/CDDP) showed collateral sensitivity to SPM-D with relative resistance values of 0.43, 0.34, and 0.32, respectively. Intracellular SPM-D in PC-14/CDDP was 35% higher than that for PC-14 suggesting that intracellular accumulation can explain the collateral sensitivity to SPM-D at least in PC-14/CDDP. On the other hand, in PC-9/CDDP cells, no increase of intracellular SPM-D accumulation was observed, but the conversion ratio of a metabolite (the amino nucleoside moiety of spicamycin binding with glycine, SAN-G) from SPM-D evaluated by TLC was higher as compared with that of parental PC-9 cells (45.5% versus 37%; PC-9/CDDP versus PC-9). The increased intracellular metabolism of SPM-D could explain the mechanism of collateral sensitivity in PC-9/CDDP cisplatin-resistant cell lines. To elucidate the determinant of the SPM-D-induced cytotoxicity, we established SPM-D-resistant cell lines, PC-9/SPM-D, PC-14/SPM-D, and H69/SPM-D, by exposing cells to stepwise increases in SPM-D concentration. The relative resistances of these sublines were more than 5000, 46.6, and 37.8 times those of the parental cell lines, respectively. The intracellular concentration of the active metabolite, SAN-G, was found to be decreased in the SPM-D-resistant sublines. This result indicates that the intracellular metabolism of SPM-D to SAN-G is one of the determinants of cellular sensitivity to SPM-D in these SPM-D-resistant cell lines. In conclusion, both drug accumulation and metabolism may contribute to the sensitivity/resistance to SPM-D and both may merit investigation.

[A case of pineal germinoma presenting with severe amnesia]

Patients who have a pineal germinoma usually present with symptoms of intracranial hypertension or disturbances in vertical ocular motion but rarely present with amnesia. We recently encountered a case of pineal germinoma accompanied by severe amnesia, but not by hydrocephalus. A 32-year-old, right-handed man was admitted with severe memory disturbance which had gradually worsened in the preceding three months. On admission, he was alert and cooperative. His speech was well preserved and not fabricated. He had neither symptoms of intracranial hypertension or visual disturbance. There was no manifestation of interhemispheric disconnection symptoms. His immediate and semantic memory was preserved, however, his recent and antegrade episodic memory was severely impaired. The amnesia involved both verbal and visual modalities. He could recall only 1 out of 5 objects in 5 minutes. He was orientated to people, but not to time and place. And his motivation was severely affected. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a heterogeneously enhanced tumor in the splenium and pineal body that extended into the bilateral ventricular trigon through major forceps and was accompanied by edema in the retrosplenial region. The bilateral crura of the fornix was obscured by the tumor. The enlarged pineal body was slightly compressing the upper colliculus but hydrocephalus was not observed. The tumor, which was partially excised through a right parietal corticotomy, had features typical of a germinoma.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Translocation of protein phosphatase 1 catalytic subunits during 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-induced monocytic differentiation of HL-60 cells

To elucidate the roles of protein phosphatases type 1 (PP1) and type 2A (PP2A) in 1,25-dihydroxy-cholecalciferol [1,25(OH)2D3]-induced differentiation of HL-60 cells into monocytes, we examined the enzyme activity and the protein and gene expressions of PP1 and PP2A in these cells. Calyculin-A augmented the 1,25(OH)2D3-induced differentiation of the cells. Treatment of the cells with 1,25(OH)2D3 led to a decrease in PP1-like activity in the cytosol fraction, with a concomitant increase in the membrane and nuclear PP1-like activity, as determined when protein phosphatase activity was assayed using myosin light chain as substrate in the presence of 5 nM okadaic acid. Western blot analysis with antibodies specific for PP1 catalytic subunit isozymes (PP1 alpha, PP1 gamma, and PP1 delta) showed that all three PP1 isozymes were expressed but were differentially distributed in each cellular fraction. Subcellular redistribution of PP1-like activity during 1,25(OH)2D3-induced differentiation was mainly attributed to PP1 gamma and PP1 alpha proteins. In contrast, the localizations of PP1 delta and PP2A catalytic and regulatory subunits were not significantly affected by 1,25(OH)2D3 treatment. The gene expressions of PP1 alpha and PP1 gamma appeared to be constant during processes of monocytic differentiation. The correlation between phenotypic and functional changes of HL-60 cells on the one hand and subcellular redistribution of PP1-like activity on the other suggest that the translocations of PP1 alpha and PP1 gamma isozymes may contribute to the 1,25(OH)2D3-induced monocytic differentiation of HL-60 cells.

Hepatocyte growth factor stimulates DNA synthesis in alveolar epithelial type II cells in vitro

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and its receptor, the product of c-MET proto-oncogene, are highly expressed in both fetal and adult lung, though their physiologic functions in the lung are largely unknown. In the present study, we examined whether alveolar type II cells in the lung are the target of HGF and whether HGF has any effects on growth of these cells. The alveolar epithelial type II cells were isolated from the lungs of adult male Sprague-Dawley rats by elastase digestion, and the cells were used to determine whether they express HGF and c-MET mRNAs and whether recombinant HGF has any effect on their DNA synthesis in primary culture. The effects were further compared with those induced by epidermal growth factor (EGF), acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF), transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha), and transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1). Northern blot analysis and in situ hybridization revealed that type II cells express c-MET mRNA but not HGF mRNA. HGF stimulated [3H]thymidine incorporation into type II cells in primary cultures. An increase was also seen in labeling index as determined by nuclear immunostaining of bromodeoxyuridine-incorporated DNA. While aFGF (200 ng/ml) exerted an effect comparable to HGF (25 ng/ml) on DNA synthesis in type II cells, EGF (20 ng/ml) and TGF-alpha (100 ng/ml) had lesser effects. TGF-beta 1, a potent inhibitor of epithelial cell proliferation, at 0.25 to 2 ng/ml, did not inhibit HGF-induced [3H]thymidine incorporation into type II cells. The results indicate that HGF exerts its effects on type II cells as a potent mitogen by a paracrine mode of action.

In vivo screening models of cisplatin-resistant human lung cancer cell lines using SCID mice

In vivo screening models of a cisplatin (CDDP)-resistant human small-cell lung cancer cell (SCLC) line, H69/CDDP, and a non-small-cell lung cancer cell (NSCLC) line, PC-14/CDDP, were evaluated. The transplantability of the tumor xenografts to SCID mice was more than 90%. Tumor xenografts of H69/CDDP and PC-14/CDDP showed CDDP resistance during in vivo treatment. The novel anticancer agent 254-S showed only a partial effect on the growth of H69/CDDP and PC-14/CDDP while ormaplatin showed no cross resistance to CDDP. The in vivo results correlated well with the results of the in vitro MTT assay. In this in vivo sensitivity test, H69/CDDP and PC-14/CDDP were more sensitive to ormaplatin than its parental cell lines. In vivo sensitivity testing using SCID mice bearing transplanted CDDP-resistant tumors was shown to be useful for evaluating the effects of new anti-cancer drugs, especially those that might overcome CDDP resistance.

Can interstitial pneumonia as the sole presentation of collagen vascular diseases be differentiated from idiopathic interstitial pneumonia?

We prospectively followed 68 patients diagnosed as idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIP) over a period of 1-11 years. Thirteen patients (19%) subsequently developed systemic manifestations of collagen vascular diseases (CVD) and were diagnosed as having had interstitial pneumonia as the sole presentation of CVD (CVD-IP). Compared with the 55 IIP patients, the 13 CVD-IP patients were relatively younger, predominantly female, and had a lower incidence of dust inhalation in their history. They also had a higher erythrocyte sedimentation rate, higher incidence of the x-ray finding of discoid atelectasis in the lower lung fields, and a better prognosis than the IIP patients. However, these features did not clearly distinguish the two groups. We conclude that the patients clinically and/or histologically defined as suffering from IIP cannot be distinguished from CVD-IP patients before systemic signs of CVD appear in the latter group.

Intracellular carboxyl esterase activity is a determinant of cellular sensitivity to the antineoplastic agent KW-2189 in cell lines resistant to cisplatin and CPT-11

KW-2189, a novel antitumor antibiotic belonging to the duocarmycins, possesses marked DNA-binding activity upon activation by carboxyl esterase to its active form, DU-86. Three duocarmycins, KW-2189, DU-86 and duocarmycin SA, were active against the cisplatin (CDDP)-resistant human non-small cell lung cancer cell lines PC-9/CDDP and PC-14/CDDP, and the multidrug-resistant human small cell lung cancer cell line H69/VP. However, HAC2/0.1, a CDDP-resistant human ovarian cancer cell line which is also resistant to CPT-11 because of decreased intracellular activation of CPT-11, was about 12.8-fold more resistant to KW-2189. HAC2/0.1 was not resistant to other duocarmycins as compared to its parental cell line, HAC2. There was no difference between HAC2 and HAC2/0.1 with regard to the intracellular accumulation of KW-2189. Addition of 130 mU/ml of carboxyl esterase to the culture medium did not influence the sensitivity of HAC2 cells to KW-2189. However, the sensitivity of HAC2/0.1 cells to KW-2189 was enhanced to the level of HAC2. These results suggest that HAC2/0.1 is less potent than HAC2 in activating KW-2189. The carboxyl esterase activity of whole-cell and microsomal extracts from HAC2/0.1 was approximately 60% of that from HAC2. The cell-free experiment revealed that KW-2189 bound to DNA more efficiently in the presence of HAC2 than HAC2/0.1 cell extract. It was concluded that decreased intracellular carboxyl esterase activity in HAC2/0.1 cells caused decreased intracellular conversion of KW-2189 to its active form, thus producing resistance to KW-2189. The decreased conversion of CPT-11 to SN-38 in HAC2/0.1 cells might be explained by decreased carboxyl esterase activity.

In vitro and in vivo growth of B16F10 melanoma cells transfected with interleukin-4 cDNA and gene therapy with the transfectant

In an attempt to develop the most effective cytokine gene therapy, we transfected mouse interleukin(IL)-2, mouse IL-4, and human IL-6 cDNAs into mouse melanoma cells, B16F10. Transfection with IL-4 cDNA decreased the tumorigenicity of B16F10 most strongly. We investigated whether gene therapy with IL-4-transfected B16F10 cells was possible. Flow-cytometric analysis showed that major histocompatibility complex class I and II expression in B16F10 and IL-4-cDNA-transfected B16F10 (B16F10-IL4) cells did not differ. Doubling times of B16F10 and B16F10-IL4 were 20.1 and 21.1 h respectively. The growth of B16F10 cells was retarded if C57BL/6 mice were inoculated with B16F10-IL4 at the contralateral sides. When 5 x 10(5) B16F10 cells were transplanted subcutaneously into the flanks of C57BL/6 mice, they all developed a tumor mass, whereas no tumor masses formed in those transplanted with B16F10-IL4 cells within 60 days. No nude, severe combined immunodeficient or beige mice were able to reject parental B16F10 or B16F10-IL4 cells, although, B16F10-IL4 tumor growth in all these immunodeficient mice was slower than that of B16F10. Therefore, we concluded that T and natural killer cells are necessary for rejection of B16F10-IL4 tumor cells.

Possible functional groups responsible for inhibition of in vivo angiogenesis by herbimycin A

Six herbimycin A (HBM) derivatives were examined for their anti-angiogenic effects in a bioassay system involving chorioallantoic membranes (CAMs) of growing chick embryos on the basis of our previous observation that HBM is a potent angiogenesis inhibitor. 17-Cyclopropylamino-HBM dose-dependently inhibited embryonic angiogenesis. The ID50 value was 0.1 microgram (160 pmol) per egg and thereby lower than that of the parent compound HBM (ID50 = 0.15 micrograms (260 pmol) per egg). In contrast, 19-dimethylamino-, N-acetyl-, 2,3,4,5-tetrahydro- and 7-decarbamoyl-HBM at doses of 0.01-10 micrograms/egg failed to affect angiogenesis in CAMs. These results strongly suggest as follows: (1) C-19 position, amino group between positions C-1 and C-20 and carbamoyl group in C-7 are essential for the anti-angiogenic action of HBM; (2) HBM needs certain fixed conformation for expression of angiogenesis inhibition; (3) it is expected that the modification of C-17 with a suitable functional group results in increased anti-angiogenic potency of HBM--that is, a more potent angiogenesis inhibitor than the parent compound would be developed.

Management of acute leukemia during pregnancy: from the results of a nationwide questionnaire survey and literature survey

In March, 1993, a questionnaire was sent to 362 gynecological and obstetric offices of national, prefectural and municipal hospitals and private university hospitals with 250 beds or more. Answers were collected from 260 institutions. Thus, this study analyzed 39 patients with acute leukemia during pregnancy collected by the questionnaires survey and 64 cases reported in the Japanese literatures during 1975-1993 (total 103 patients). The weeks of pregnancy were defined as the 1st (< 15th week), 2nd (16th-27th week), and 3rd (> 28th week) trimesters. The time of diagnosis of leukemia during pregnancy changed from 25% in the 2nd trimester and 62% in the 3rd trimester during 1975-1984 to 39% and 48% after 1985, respectively. After 1985, the remission rate was 72% in the questionnaire group and 75% in the group from literatures. There was no statistical difference. The 50% survival period was 12 months in the group during 1975-1984, but 25 months in the group after 1985. The survival was significantly longer in the patients whose induction therapy was started before delivery than in those treated after delivery. The results suggest that the treatment for acute leukemia during pregnancy should be initiated as soon as possible after the diagnosis of leukemia, with carefully selected regimens. It is important that the time of delivery should be selected considering the maternal and fetal conditions after consultation with an obstetrician.

Gene therapy for Lewis lung carcinoma with tumor necrosis factor and interleukin 2 cDNAs co-transfected subline

Gene therapy with cytokine cDNA will provide a new tool for cancer treatment. We have already reported that immunization with interleukin-2 (IL2) cDNA transfected Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) cells induced anti-tumor immunity, which, however, was not strong enough to eradicate an established tumor. In an attempt to develop more effective gene therapy methods, we have used tumor cells co-transfected with IL-2 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) cDNAs. These cDNAs were introduced into pBMG-Neo and pcDV-X819 vectors, respectively, and then co-transfected into LLC cells. The co-transfectants were selected by incubating them in a medium containing G418 followed by the limiting dilution method twice to obtain IL2 and TNF cDNA co-transfected LLC (LLC-TNF-IL2) cells. When 5 x 10(5)/ml LLC-TNF-IL2 cells were incubated for 48 h, they secreted 7.56 U/ml TNF and 527.0 U/ml IL2 into the culture supernatant. When C57BL/6 mice were transplanted with 1 x 10(6) LLC-TNF-IL2 cells, all the tumors were rejected. The growth of transplanted LLC, but not B16F10 melanoma cells, was retarded in mice inoculated with LLC-TNF-IL2 on their contralateral sides, which suggests specific immunity was induced. The immunization effect by the co-transfectant was superior to that of the IL2- and TNF-transfectants alone.

[Randomized controlled study of sequential methotrexate and 5-fluorouracil therapy with or without 5'-deoxy-5-fluorouridine against advanced gastrointestinal cancer. Hirosaki Cooperative Study Group for Cancer Chemotherapy]

Seventy-five patients with gastrointestinal cancer were entered in this study. The number of eligible cases were 38 in the group treated with sequential methotrexate (MTX)/5-fluorouracil (5-FU) with 5'-deoxy-5-fluorouridine (5'-DFUR) (group A) and 34 in the group without 5'-DFUR (group B). The treatment schedules were as follows: MTX/100 mg/m2 was given intravenously (i.v.) followed by 5-FU 600 mg/m2 i.v. 2 hours later and leucovorin 15 mg/body i.v. 8 and 20 hours later. This cycle was repeated once a week. In group A, 5'-DFUR 1,200 mg/body/day was given orally 5 consecutive days per week. Three of 35 cases in group A showed PR, while no case showed PR in group B. Median survival time was 5.0 months in group A and 5.3 months in group B, respectively. Gastrointestinal toxicity was commonly observed, and diarrhea was more frequent in group A (p < 0.05).

[A prospective randomized trial of adjuvant chemotherapy with UFT for head and neck carcinoma. Head and Neck UFT Study Group]

A prospective randomized trial was performed in 67 institutions for the purpose to evaluate the efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy after radical treatment of head and neck carcinoma. A comparison was made between the following two groups; one-year oral administration of UFT, 300 mg/day, after radical treatment (UFT group); and a non-treatment group. Patients were classified under the following three categories; 1) stage II-IV, receiving radical surgery; 2) stage II, receiving radical radiotherapy; and 3) nasopharyngeal cancer. The numbers of cases were 424, 111 and 25, respectively, and they were randomized into two groups. The numbers of eligible cases were 398, 105 and 25, respectively. Statistical analysis was performed in the cases receiving radical surgery and in those receiving radical radiotherapy. As the results, in cases receiving radical surgery no significant difference was observed in 3-year survival rates (77.9% for UFT group vs 72.9% for non-treatment group) or 3-year relapse-free rates (73.4% for UFT group vs 66.2% for non-treatment group) between the two groups. However, the distant relapse rate was significantly lower in the UFT group than in the non-treatment group (7.9% vs 14.6%; p = 0.034). In the cases receiving radical radiotherapy, no significant differences was observed in either 3-year survival rates or 3-year relapse-free rates. Thus it was suggested that UFT maintenance therapy might suppress the distant metastasis after radical surgery. We considered a further confirmative trial for patients at high risk of distant metastasis after radical surgery to be advisable.

[Sequential methotrexate/5-fluorouracil therapy with 5'-deoxy-5-fluorouridine against advanced gastric cancer: comparison between bolus injection and drip infusion of 5-fluorouracil administration. Hirosaki Cooperative Study Group for Cancer Chemotherapy]

Forty-two patients with gastric cancer were entered in this study. Forty-one of them were eligible and administered sequential methotrexate (MTX)/5-fluorouracil (5-FU) with 5'-deoxy-5-fluorouridine (5'-DFUR). 5-FU was administered intravenously by drip infusion for 2 hours in 22 cases (group A), and was infused by bolus injection in 19 cases (group B). The treatment schedules were as follows: MTX 100 mg/m2 was given intravenously (i.v.) followed by 5-FU 600 mg/m2 i.v. 2 hours later and leucovorin 15 mg/body i.v. 8 and 20 hours later. This cycle was repeated once a week. 5'-DFUR 1,200 mg/body/day was given orally on 5 consecutive days per week. Three of 20 cases (15%) in group A showed PR, while 5 of 15 cases (33%) in group B showed PR. Median survival time was 2.8 months in group A and 3.7 months in group B. There was, however, no statistical difference. Gastrointestinal toxicity was commonly observed. Leukocytopenia was more severe in group B. Alopecia was more frequently observed in group B (p < 0.025). These results suggested bolus injection of 5-FU was a promising way of administration in sequential MTX/5-FU therapy.

Retinal circulatory abnormalities in type 1 diabetes

PURPOSE

To quantify retinal circulatory abnormalities in patients with type 1 diabetes; to 1 diabetes; to compare blood speed and blood flow in major temporal retinal arteries as well as total retinal arterial cross-section measured in patients to that measured in controls without diabetes; to determine which factors are related to the measured abnormalities within the patient group.

METHODS

The laser Doppler technique and monochromatic fundus photography were used to measure retinal circulatory parameters in 39 patients with type 1 diabetes with duration of diabetes between 7 and 20 years and 13 age-matched controls without diabetes. Blood pressure, intraocular pressure, and heart rate were measured in all subjects. Glycosylated hemoglobin was measured in the patients. Retinopathy was assessed using standardized color fundus photography and fluorescein angiography.

RESULTS

Total retinal arterial cross-section was, on average, 17% higher (P = 0.007) in the patients than in the controls, and it increased with increasing duration of diabetes (P = 0.006). Arterial blood speed was, on average, 33% lower (P = 0.0001) in the patients than in the controls, and it decreased with increasing duration of diabetes (P = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

The retinal circulation of patients with type 1 diabetes with no retinopathy or background retinopathy is characterized by dilated major arteries with reduced blood speeds. Dilation of the larger retinal arteries, with the accompanying decrease in vascular resistance to flow in those vessels, appears to counteract an increase in resistance to flow at the level of the smaller retinal vessels.

Quantitative circulatory measurements in branch retinal vessel occlusion

We used the laser Doppler technique to quantify retinal circulatory abnormalities in three patients with branch retinal artery occlusion and in two patients with branch retinal vein occlusion, each of whom had shown delayed filling on fluorescein angiography. Blood flow in occluded arteries was 40-50% lower than in non-occluded arteries of the same branching order. In the patients with branch retinal vein occlusion blood flow in arteries supplying the affected regions was 80-90% lower than in arteries supplying the unaffected regions. One vein occlusion patient was measured serially over 18 months. Blood flow increased from 4 to 12 microliters/min in the artery supplying the affected region in this patient. The results demonstrate that retinal circulatory abnormalities can be evaluated quantitatively during the course of retinal vascular occlusive disease, and suggest that the efficacy of therapy can be monitored using our techniques.

A novel antitumor antibiotic, KW-2189 is activated by carboxyl esterase and induces DNA strand breaks in human small cell lung cancer cells

KW-2189 has been selected as a lead compound for clinical trial among duocarmycin derivatives with structural similarity to CC-1065, a cyclopropylpyrroloindole. The purpose of this study was to examine the DNA-binding potency and the mechanisms of cytotoxicity of KW-2189. In order to analyze DNA-binding activity of KW-2189, plasmid pBR322 was treated with KW-2189 with or without pretreatment with carboxyl esterase, which we demonstrated to be an activating enzyme, and the products were examined by agarose gel electrophoresis and restriction enzyme analysis. Cytotoxic activity was examined by exposing a human small cell lung cancer cell line, NCI-H69 to KW-2189 with or without carboxyl esterase. Alkaline elution was performed to examine whether KW-2189 induces DNA strand breaks. DNA treated with KW-2189 and carboxyl esterase migrated faster than KW-2189-treated DNA, which migrated at the same rate as untreated DNA. In addition DNA treated with esterase-activated KW-2189 was protected from digestion by some restriction enzymes. KW-2189 showed concentration- and time-dependent growth inhibitory effect with IC50 values (drug concentration required for 50% growth inhibition) of 58 nM (96 h) to 1900 nM (1 h) in H69 cells. The IC50 values of 4-h exposure of H69 to KW-2189 with 0, 26, 130, 650 mU/ml carboxyl esterase were 460, 120, 30, and 7 nM, respectively. Time-dependent enhancement of cytotoxicity by carboxyl esterase was also observed. KW-2189 induced DNA strand breaks in H69 cells in a concentration-dependent manner around the IC50 value. We conclude that 1) KW-2189 is activated by carboxyl esterase to its active form(s), 2) activated KW-2189 has a stronger DNA-binding activity and cytotoxicity than KW-2189, 3) DNA cleavage is one of the major mechanisms of KW-2189-mediated cytotoxicity.

Characterization of an etoposide-resistant human ovarian cancer cell line

Etoposide (VP-16) is one of the most important anticancer agents available and is used in many chemotherapeutic regimens. To characterize resistance to this drug, we established a VP-16-resistant human ovarian cancer cell line, SKOV3/VP, by continuous stepwise exposure of SKOV3 cells to VP-16. The degree of resistance to VP-16 of SKOV3/VP was about 25 times that of the parent cell line (SKOV3), and SKOV3/VP showed cross-resistance to teniposide, adriamycin, CPT-11, and vincristine. The accumulation of [3H]-VP-16 observed in SKOV3/VP cells was about half that seen in SKOV3 cells, and the accumulation of Adriamycin by this resistant cell line was also lower than that of its parent. Overexpression of neither the multidrug resistance gene mdr-1, the multidrug-resistance-associated protein (mrp) gene, nor P-glycoprotein was detected using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis and flow cytometry with MRK-16, a monoclonal antibody against P-glycoprotein. The topoisomerase II activity of nuclear extracts from SKOV3/VP cells was lower than that from the parental cells, as was the amount of DNA topoisomerase II, demonstrated by immunoblotting. These results suggest that the mechanism responsible for the multidrug resistance of this cell line may be attributable to changes on its DNA topoisomerase II and to its reduced accumulation of the drugs as compared with the parental line SKOV3.

Combined antitumor effects of TNF and G-CSF on a human medulloblastoma xenograft line

The antitumor effects of TNF and G-CSF on a xenograft line of human medulloblastoma were examined. (Method):1) A human medulloblastoma xenograft line was transplanted into nude mice. Tumor bearing nude mice were divided into the following eight groups: untreated controls (C); those receiving a subcutaneous injection of G-CSF for one week (G1); for four weeks (G2); those receiving an intratumoral injection of TNF for four weeks (Tit); an intravenous injection of TNF (Tiv); those receiving a combination of G1 and Tit (G1 + Tit); a combination of G2 and Tit (G2 + Tit); and a combination of G2 and Tiv (T2 + Tiv). The relative tumor weight in each group was calculated and any antitumor effects were examined by calculating a tumor growth inhibition ratio. 2) Tumor bearing nude mice were divided into the following two groups: those receiving a subcutaneous injection of G-CSF and an intravenous injection of TNF (G+T); and only an intravenous injection of TNF (T). We evaluated the pathological findings from the tumors at 0 h, 0.5 h, 1 h, 3 h, 6 h, 12 h, 24 h and 48 h after the TNF injection. Routine H.E. staining and immunostaining using antigranulocyte and antimacrophage antibodies were performed. (Results): 1) The tumor growth inhibition ratio was 0.112, 0.190, 0.287, 0.451, 0.347, 0.635, and 0.622 at G1, G2, Tit, Tiv, G1 + Tit, G2 + Tit, G2 + Tiv group. A combined antitumor effect was clearly seen in the G2 + Tit and the G2 + Tiv groups. 2) The tumor was fragmented by the infiltration of many inflammatory cells 24 hours after TNF injection. Many more macrophages were observed in the tumors of G+T mice than in the T mice. Granulocytes were observed only in the tumors of the G+T mice.

[Estimation of reliability and stability in the data where test-retest intervals change over subjects]

Models for the test-retest situation are proposed, in which an interval between a test and a retest changes over subjects. In the model of a single observed variable we assume that the true score of the variable changes as a Markovian process. We show that stability and reliability of a test can not be estimated separately in the ordinary test-retest model which assumes equal stability for subjects, but that they can be estimated separately with our model. In the model of a latent variable (factor) we assume various stabilities for the latent variable and the non-zero covariances of specific factors in a test and a retest. These models are applied to actual data, and stabilities and reliabilities of tests are estimated quantitatively.

Suramin inhibits the phosphorylation and catalytic activity of DNA topoisomerase II in human lung cancer cells

Suramin is a prototype of a new class of anticancer drugs. We investigated the action of suramin on the signal transduction pathways to DNA topoisomerase II (Topo II). Suramin showed a growth-inhibitory effect on a human lung cancer cell line (PC-9) with an IC50 of about 160 micrograms/ml. Suramin inhibited the catalytic activity of Topo II with an IC50 of about 100 micrograms/ml without stabilization of the cleavable complex of DNA and Topo II. Suramin decreased the phosphorylation of Topo II with an IC50 of 175 micrograms/ml, but did not change the degree of Topo II expression. These IC50 values for inhibition of catalytic activity and phosphorylation of Topo II were equivalent to the growth-inhibitory dose determined by tetrazolium dye assay. Phosphorylation of the tyrosine residues of Topo II was not changed by suramin. In the presence of okadaic acid, a potent inhibitor of serine/threonine protein phosphatase, suramin also decreased the phosphorylation of Topo II, suggesting that the drug did not act on the serine/threonine protein phosphatases inhibited by okadaic acid. Suramin also inhibited the protein kinase C (PKC) activity of PC-9 cells. These results suggest that suramin decreases the phosphorylation of Topo II mediated by PKC. This effect of suramin might cause the inhibition of Topo II activity resulting in the growth inhibition of tumor cells.

Cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) inhibits p34cdc2 protein kinase in human lung-cancer cells

cis-Diamminedichloroplatinum(II) (CDDP) induced G2-phase arrest in PC-9 human cancer cells. To elucidate how CDDP acts on cell-cycle regulation, we analyzed the effect of CDDP on cell-cycle regulators such as p34cdc2 protein kinase. p34cdc2 protein kinase activity was maximum in G2 phase and decreased after G2/M transition in synchronized PC-9 human lung cancer cells. Evidence for a phosphorylated p34cdc2 protein kinase complexed with cyclin B was obtained from cells in G2 phase and the p34cdc2 protein kinase appeared to be dephosphorylated at M phase. After exposure to CDDP in G1 phase, PC-9 cells were arrested in G2 phase. The activation of p34cdc2 protein kinase was inhibited by CDDP. Cyclin A and wee-I kinase were not affected by the exposure to CDDP. Cyclin B was degraded in M phase in PC-9 cells. Exposure to CDDP did not affect the degradation of cyclin B. Our data suggest that the effect of CDDP on cell-cycle phase might be regulated by the dephosphorylation of p34cdc2 protein kinase. To determine whether the p34cdc2 protein kinase is a primary target for CDDP, we examined the direct effect of CDDP on tyrosine dephosphorylation of p34cdc2 protein kinase in cellular extracts. Cell lysates from synchronized PC-9 in G2 phase were immunoprecipitated with p13-Sepharose beads. In vitro dephosphorylation of phosphotyrosine of p34cdc2 protein kinase was observed after exposure to okadaic acid in a concentration-dependent manner. The dephosphorylation of p34cdc2 protein kinase by okadaic acid was inhibited by CDDP. We hypothesize that inhibition of p34cdc2 dephorphorylation by CDDP is important for its growth-inhibiting properties.