Initial testing of VNP40101M (Cloretazine) by the pediatric preclinical testing program

Antitumor sulfonylhydrazines: design, structure-activity relationships, resistance mechanisms, and strategies for improving therapeutic utility

1,2-Bis(sulfonyl)-1-alkylhydrazines (BSHs) were conceived as more specific DNA guanine O-6 methylating and chloroethylating agents lacking many of the undesirable toxicophores contained in antitumor nitrosoureas. O(6)-Alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase (MGMT) is the sole repair protein for O(6)-alkylguanine lesions in DNA and has been reported to be absent in 5-20% of most tumor types. Many BSHs exhibit highly selective cytotoxicity toward cells deficient in MGMT activity. The development of clinically useful MGMT assays should permit the identification of tumors with this vulnerability and allow for the preselection of patient subpopulations with a high probability of responding. The BSH system is highly versatile, permitting the synthesis of many prodrug types with the ability to incorporate an additional level of tumor-targeting due to preferential activation by tumor cells. Furthermore, it may be possible to expand the spectrum of activity of these agents to include tumors with MGMT activity by combining them with tumor-targeted MGMT inhibitors.

Initial testing (stage 1) of the notch inhibitor PF-03084014, by the pediatric preclinical testing program

PF-03084014, a γ-secretase inhibitor, was tested against the PPTP in vitro cell line panel (1.0 nM to 10 μM) and against the in vivo xenograft panels (administered orally twice daily on Days 1-7 and 15-21). PF-03084014 demonstrated limited in vitro activity, with no cell line achieving ≥50% inhibition. PF-03084014 induced significant differences in EFS distribution in 14 of 35 (40%) solid tumor xenografts, and 1 of 9 ALL xenografts (which lacked a NOTCH1 mutation), but objective responses were not observed. PF-03084014 demonstrated limited single agent activity in vitro and in vivo against the pediatric preclinical models studied.

Initial testing (Stage 1) of TAK-701, a humanized hepatocyte growth factor binding antibody, by the Pediatric Preclinical Testing Program

TAK-701 is a humanized antibody that binds hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), thus suppressing c-Met transduced signaling and c-Met dependent proliferation and migration of tumor cells. Six childhood solid tumor xenografts were selected for evaluating TAK-701 based on immunochemical detection of HGF/c-Met autocrine signaling [i.e., pMet(Tyr1349) and HGF positive]. TAK-701 was tested using a dose of 30 mg/kg administered by the intraperitoneal (IP) route twice weekly for 4 weeks. TAK-701 did not induce significant differences in EFS distribution in treated tumors compared to control tumors. Objective responses were not observed in any of the tested solid tumor xenografts.

Initial testing (stage 1) of SGI-1776, a PIM1 kinase inhibitor, by the pediatric preclinical testing program

The PIM kinase inhibitor, SGI-1776, was tested against the PPTP in vitro (1.0 nM-10 µM) and in vivo panels (148 mg/kg daily × 5 days for 3 weeks). SGI-1776 exhibited cytotoxic activity in vitro with a median relative IC(50) of 3.1 µM. SGI-1776 induced significant differences in EFS distribution in vivo in 9 of 31 solid tumor xenografts and in 1 of 8 of the evaluable ALL xenografts. SGI-1776 induced tumor growth inhibition meeting criteria for intermediate EFS T/C activity in 1 of 39 evaluable models. In contrast, SGI-1776 induced complete responses of subcutaneous MV4;11 (B myeloid leukemia).

Initial testing (Stage 1) of AT13387, an HSP90 inhibitor, by the pediatric preclinical testing program

AT13387, a non-geldanamycin inhibitor of heat-shock protein 90 (HSP90), was tested against the PPTP in vitro panel (1.0 nM to 10 µM) and against the PPTP in vivo panels (40 or 60 mg/kg) administered orally twice weekly. In vitro AT13387 showed a median EC(50) value of 41 nM and exhibited activity consistent with a cytotoxic effect. In vivo AT13387 induced significant differences in EFS distribution compared to controls in 17% evaluable solid tumor xenografts, but in none of the ALL xenografts. No objective tumor responses were observed. In vivo AT13387 demonstrated only modest single agent activity.

Initial testing (stage 1) of LCL161, a SMAC mimetic, by the Pediatric Preclinical Testing Program

LCL161, a SMAC mimetic, was tested against the PPTP in vitro panel (1.0 nM to 10.0 µM) and the PPTP in vivo panels (30 or 75 mg/kg [solid tumors] or 100 mg/kg [ALL]) administered orally twice in a week. LCL161 showed a median relative IC(50) value of >10 µM, being more potent against several leukemia and lymphoma lines. In vivo LCL161 induced significant differences in EFS distribution in approximately one-third of solid tumor xenografts (osteosarcoma and glioblastoma), but not in ALL xenografts. No objective tumor responses were observed. In vivo LCL161 demonstrated limited single agent activity against the pediatric preclinical models studied.