EO9 is a novel and fully synthetic bioreductive alkylating indoloquinone. Although structurally-related to mitomycin C, EO9 exhibits a distinct preclinical antitumour profile and there are also differences in its biochemical activation. In this study, EO9 was found to demonstrate preferential cytotoxicity against solid tumours in vitro as compared to leukaemia cell lines both in the Corbett two-tumour assay and in the disease-oriented human tumour cell line panel of the U.S. National Cancer Institute. In the latter system activity was particularly apparent in colon, melanoma and central nervous system lines, together with some renal and non-small cell lung lines. Preferential cytotoxicity towards hypoxic versus aerobic EMT6 mouse mammary tumour cells was observed. In vivo, EO9 was inactive against the P388 murine leukaemia, while exerting significant antiproliferative effects against several murine and human solid tumours, including the generally resistant MAC mouse colon tumours and gastric, ovarian and breast xenografts. These results confirmed in vitro observations of preferential solid tumour activity. In animal toxicology studies, EO9 induced vascular congestion in the gastrointestinal tract, but no significant bone marrow toxicity. The LD10 value of EO9 after a single intravenous injection into mice was 9 mg/kg (27 mg/m2). A dose of one-tenth of the mouse equivalent LD10 (2.7 mg/m2), the recommended starting dose for clinical phase I studies, was found to be safe in rats. Considering its distinct mechanism of bioactivation as compared to mitomycin C, its preferential solid tumour activity, its excellent activity against hypoxic cells, and lack of significant bone marrow toxicity in animals studies, EO9 has been selected for clinical evaluation within the framework of the EORTC.

These results point to high antiproliferative activity of aplidine and IHB in prostate cancer. At the same time, the data urge some caution in the clinical use of these agents because of potential neurotoxic side-effects. The use of a newly formulated Aplidine may involve a more favorable therapeutic profile.

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Rhizoxin is a 16-membered antifungal macrocyclic lactone isolated from the plant pathogenic fungus Rhizopus chinensis. The compound binds to tubulin, preventing microtubule formation, and inhibiting mitosis. It possesses antitumour activity in vivo against various preclinical murine models, both leukaemias and solid tumours model, as well as in vincristine- and doxorubicin-resistant leukaemia lines. In the present study, cytotoxic activity was observed in human tumour cell lines in vitro at very low concentrations (+/- 10(-10) M) particularly against melanoma, colon, renal, non-small cell and small cell lung cancer. In vivo antitumour activity was demonstrated in murine P388 and L1210 murine leukaemias, solid tumour models B16 melanoma and M5076 sarcoma, and in 5 out of 9 human solid tumour xenografts: LOX melanoma, MX-1 breast cancer, non-small cell lung cancer A549, and small cell lung cancers LXFS 605 and LXFS 650. The absence of cross-resistance to vinca alkaloids was confirmed in vivo against the vincristine-resistant P388 leukaemia subline and the vincristine-resistant human small cell lung cancer LXFS 650. In addition, the antitumour activity of rhizoxin was improved by prolonged or repeated drug administration indicating a schedule dependency. In animal toxicology studies, transient changes in erythrocyte and leukocyte numbers, local phlebitis, diarrhea, and spermatogenic arrest were observed. The LD10 value of rhizoxin after a single intravenous injection was 2.8 mg/kg (8.4 mg/m2). One-tenth of the mouse equivalent LD10 (0.84 mg/m2), the starting dose for clinical phase I studies, was considered to be safe in rats.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)