Comparison of the usefulness of the MTT, ATP, and calcein assays to predict the potency of cytotoxic agents in various human cancer cell lines

Cell viability assays are important tools in oncological research and clinical practice to assess the tumor cell sensitivity of individual patients. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the comparability of 3 widely used assays (MTT, ATP, calcein assays) by principal component analysis. The study included 4 different cytostatics (cisplatin, docetaxel, doxorubicin, vinblastine) and 3 different human cancer cell lines (MCF-7, A2780, doxorubicin resistant A2780adr). Ninety-three percent of the total variance of all variables included in the principal component analysis (resulting from 3 cell lines and 3 assays) could be explained by 1 principal component. Factor loadings were > 0.937 except for the variable MTT-A2780adr, which was 0.872. These results indicate the similarity of the 3 assays. A 2nd principal component analysis included literature data and showed accordance of data from this study and the literature. The MTT assay was further improved as a high-throughput screening-capable assay. The ATP assay is able to detect effects of cytostatics already after 1 h incubation. The determination of resistance factors allowed to differentiate cytostatics into P-gp or non-P-gp substrates. In conclusion, this study provides improved microplate reader-based cell viability assays and sets a statistically solid basis for a future comparison of data obtained in different laboratories by any of the 3 assays.

Arylsulfonyl acridinyl derivatives acting on Plasmodium falciparum

Several arylacridinyl sulfones have been synthesized and their antimalarial action was tested on Plasmodium falciparum. PABA (para-aminobenzoic acid) has no antagonistic effect with these compounds as opposed to the observed effect with dapsone and sulfonamides previously studied. A possible relationship between the ability of cleavage of the S-9C acridinic bond and activity is suggested.

Folate-Synthesizing Enzyme System as Target for Development of Inhibitors and Inhibitor Combinations against Candida albicansSynthesis and Biological Activity of New 2,4-Diaminopyrimidines and 4‘-Substituted 4-Aminodiphenyl Sulfones

The paper describes the design, synthesis, and testing of inhibitors of folate-synthesizing enzymes and of whole cell cultures of Candida albicans. The target enzymes used were dihydropteroic acid synthase (SYN) and dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR). Several series of new 2,4-diaminopyrimidines were synthesized and tested as inhibitors of DHFR and compared with their activity against DHFR derived from mycobacteria and Escherichia coli. To test for selectivity, also rat DHFR was used. A series of substituted 4-aminodiphenyl sulfones was tested for inhibitory activity against SYN and the I(50) values compared to those obtained previously against Plasmodium berghei- and E. coli-derived SYN. Surprisingly, QSAR equations show very similar structural dependencies. To find an explanation for the large difference in the I(50) values observed for enzyme inhibition (SYN, DHFR) and for inhibition of cell cultures of Candida, mutant strains with overexpressed efflux pumps and strains in which such pumps are deleted were included in the study and the MICs compared. Efflux pumps were responsible for the low activity of some of the tested derivatives, others showed no increase in activity after pumps were knocked out. In this case it may be speculated that these derivatives are not able to enter the cells.

New antifolate 4,4'-diaminodiphenyl sulfone substituted 2,4-diamino-5-benzylpyrimidines. Proof of their dual mode of action and autosynergism

New 4,4'-diaminodiphenylsulfone substituted 2,4-diamino-5-benzylpyrimidines were synthesized. These compounds are highly active inhibitors of both bacterial dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) and dihydropteroic acid synthase (SYN). The simultaneous inhibition of both enzymes leads to autosynergism in whole cells in the same way as known for combinations of sulfonamides with trimethoprim. The inhibitory activity is demonstrated in cell-free systems of DHFR and SYN derived from various species (M. lufu, E. coli, C. albicans) and in whole cell systems of the mycobacterial strain M. lufu. The compounds are rare examples for the combination of two mechanisms of action in one molecule.