It has been shown that melanoma cells do not express argininosuccinate synthetase (ASS) and therefore are unable to synthesize arginine from citrulline. Depleting arginine using pegylated arginine deiminase (ADI-PEG20) results in cell death in melanoma but not normal cells. This concept was translated into clinical trial and responses were seen. However, induction of ASS expression does occur which results in resistance to ADI-PEG20. We have used 4 melanoma cell lines to study factors which may govern ASS expression. Although these 4 melanoma cell lines do not express ASS protein or mRNA as detected by both immunoblot and northernblot analysis, ASS protein can be induced after these cells are grown in the presence of ADI-PEG20, but again repressed after replenishing arginine in the media. The levels of induction are different and one cell line could not be induced. Interestingly, a melanoma cell line with the highest level of induction could also be made resistant to ADI-PEG20. This resistant line possesses high levels of ASS mRNA and protein expression which cannot be repressed with arginine. Our study indicates that ASS expression in melanoma cells is complex and governed by biochemical parameters which are different among melanoma cells.

Background: Cisplatin resistance is complex and involves several different mechanisms. Employing cDNA microarray analysis, we have found that cisplatin resistant cells share the common characteristic of increase in ribosomal proteins and elongation factors. We hypothesize that in order to survive cisplatin treatment, cells have to synthesize DNA repair proteins, antiapoptotic proteins and growth-stimulating proteins. Thus, by blocking the translation of these proteins, one should be able to restore cisplatin sensitivity. We have studied the role of CCI-779, an ester analog of rapamycin which is known to inhibit translation by disabling mTOR, in restoring cisplatin sensitivity in a panel of cisplatin resistant cell lines. We have also determined the role of CCI-779 in P-gp1 and MRP1 mediated resistance.

Celecoxib plus IFL chemotherapy for patients with metastatic CRC is tolerable, but does not appear to increase the efficacy of IFL.

No abstract

The Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) conducted a prospective phase III study in patients with relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML) to evaluate whether administration of repeated courses of low-dose cytarabine (LDAC) maintenance therapy after induction of complete remission in advanced AML would improve disease-free and overall survival. Patients with AML in second/later relapse or refractory disease were first treated with a combination of high-dose cytarabine and amsacrine. Those who achieved complete remission were then randomized to observation or to receive LDAC, 10 mg/m 2 subcutaneously twice a day ؋2 21 days every 2 months until relapse occurred. Of 86 patients eligible for randomization, 41 patients were assigned to receive LDAC and 45 patients to observation. The median disease-free survival was 7.4 months for patients assigned to LDAC compared to 3.3 months for patients receiving no additional therapy, P = 0.084. The median survival from randomization was 10.9 months and 7.0 months for patients receiving LDAC maintenance chemotherapy and observation, respectively (P = 0.615). The data from this study suggest that LDAC maintenance therapy given to patients with advanced AML who achieve complete remission can increase disease-free survival compared to observation, but does not improve overall survival. Nevertheless, because of the ineffectiveness and toxicity of intensive post-remission chemotherapy in this circumstance, LDAC maintenance therapy, a tolerable outpatient regimen, offers the potential for improved quality of life. Leukemia (2000) 14, 1349-1353.