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Background: PSP94 (prostate secretory protein of 94 aa; also called PIP), one of the predominant proteins secreted into the seminal fluid, was proposed as an independent diagnostic/prognostic marker for prostate cancers. It was also shown to inhibit rat prostate cancer growth. In this study, we investigated the effect of purified PSP94 on the growth of androgen-independent human prostate cancer cells (PC3) and its potential mechanism of action., Methods and Results: PSP94, in a dose- and time-dependent manner, inhibited the growth of PC3 cells. The protein demonstrated a stronger inhibitory effect on the colony-forming ability of PC3 cells in soft agar. A daily injection of PSP94 at 5 microg/kg/body weight resulted in a 50-60% inhibition in the growth of PC3 xenografts in athymic mice. PC3 cell growth inhibition by PSP94 resulted from cell death characteristic of morphological apoptosis, which was confirmed by dual fluorescence microscopy, electron microscopy, and DNA fragmentation assays. Mechanistic studies indicated that PSP94 enhanced the expression of proapoptotic protein Bax without affecting Bcl-2 levels., Conclusions: This study suggests that PSP94 may represent a novel, apoptosis-based, antitumor agent applicable to the treatment of hormone-refractory human prostate cancers.

Background: DDT and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), which are widespread in the ecosystem, can mimic estrogen-mediated cell activities. Thus, they can potentially interfere with many physiologic processes. We compared the effects of organochlorines belonging to the DDT and PCB families, alone and in combination, for their ability to influence the estrogen receptor-mediated activities in preneoplastic breast epithelial cells and breast cancer cells., Methods: Multiple assay systems requiring functional estrogen receptor were employed to test estrogen-like activity of organochlorine ligands. Two-sided statistical tests were used to compare the data., Results: p,p'-DDT, the predominant form of DDT in the environment, is a more potent estrogen than o,p'-DDT (P<.001), although it is less effective than o,p'-DDT in inhibiting the binding of estradiol (natural estrogen) to estrogen receptor. Among the PCBs, Heptachlor is estrogenic (in transient reporter assays; P< or =.001), whereas Aroclor 1221 and Aroclor 1254, both individually and in combination, are only weakly estrogenic., Conclusion: p,p'-DDT is the most effective organochlorine in regulating estrogen receptor-mediated cellular responses. In estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer cells, p,p'-DDT evokes responses by itself and enhances the responses in collaboration with estradiol or o,p'-DDT.

The modulation of cisPlatin cytotoxicity by interleukin-1 (IL-1 alpha) was studied in cultures of SCC-7 tumor cells with and without tumor macrophages to examine potential mechanisms for the synergistic antitumor activity of cisPlatin and IL-1 alpha in SCC-7 solid tumors. Neither IL-1 alpha nor tumor macrophages affected the survival of clonogenic tumor cells and IL-1 alpha had no direct effect on tumor cell growth in vitro. Macrophages had no direct effect on cisPlatin sensitivity (IC90 = 6.0 microM), but, the addition of IL-1 alpha (500-2000U/ml) to co-cultures of cisPlatin pretreated tumor cells and resident tumor macrophages increased cell killing (IC90 = 3.1 microM). Similar responses were seen in primary cultures treated with cisPlatin before IL-1 alpha. The modulation of cisPlatin cytotoxicity by IL-1 alpha exhibited a biphasic dose response that paralleled the IL-1 alpha dose dependent release of H2O2 by resident tumor macrophages. Further, IL-1 alpha modification of cisPlatin cytotoxicity was prompt and inhibited by catalase. CisPlatin and exogenous H2O2 (50 microM) produced more than additive SCC-7 clonogenic cell kill and hydroxyl radicals played an important role in the response. Interleukin-1 modulation of cisPlatin cytotoxicity was schedule dependent. IL-1 alpha treatment for 24 hrs, before cisPlatin, produced drug resistance (IC90 = 11.1 microM). Our study shows that IL-1 alpha can stimulate tumor macrophages to release pro-oxidants that modify cellular chemosensitivity in a schedule and dose dependent fashion. Our findings may also provide a mechanistic explantation for the synergistic antitumor activity of cisPlatin and IL-1 alpha in vivo.

The antitumor activity of cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) (cP) and human recombinant interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha) was studied in RIF-1 and SC VII solid tumor models and in a cP-resistant subline of RIF-1 designated RIF-R1cP. In RIF-1 tumors, clonogenic cell survival after cP plus IL-1 alpha combinations was highly schedule and IL-1 alpha dose dependent. More than additive clonogenic cell kill was seen when cP was given 6 h before, but not 8 h before or at 2-6 h after IL-1 alpha. Time course studies indicated that maximal clonogenic cell killing was achieved within 4-6 h after the cP plus IL-1 alpha combination, with little or no recovery for up to 24 h. In vivo dose-response studies indicated that cP plus IL-1 alpha combinations induced more clonogenic cell kill than cP alone in all three tumor models, and analysis by the median effect principle indicated highly synergistic antitumor activity. Dexamethasone but not indomethacin inhibited the synergistic interaction. IL-1 alpha had no effect on the cytotoxicity of cP in SCC VII cells in vitro, and neither in vitro hypoxia nor in vivo ischemia, induced by clamping tumor blood supply, significantly affected cP clonogenic cell killing. Increased clonogenic cell killing was seen, however, after removal of the clamp, implicating reperfusion events, such as oxyradical stress, as a potential mechanism for increased cP cytotoxicity in SCC VII solid tumors. The data from our model systems provide a rationale for additional work to define the mechanisms of the synergistic antitumor activity of the cP plus IL-1 alpha combination and indicate that IL-1 alpha might be a useful adjunct to increase the clinical efficacy of cP-containing strategies for both sensitive and cP-resistant cancers.

The natural resistance of human chronic myeloid leukemia cells to adriamycin (ADR) was overcome by using the cell membrane modulator verapamil (VRP). The studies were done in vitro. [3H] thymidine incorporation inhibition was used as a measure of cytotoxicity. The results clearly show an increase in the effectiveness of ADR when used along with VRP, which may be due to the changes in the cell membrane brought about by VRP.

Experiments were carried out in vitro on adriamycin (ADR) accumulation and cytotoxicity alone and in combination with calcium channel antagonist, verapamil (VRP), in ascites murine tumour models of Ehrlich carcinoma (EAC), sarcoma 180 (S180) and P388 lymphocytic leukaemia (P388). The cytotoxicity was assayed as the inhibition of [3H]-thymidine incorporation into the cellular DNA. ADR, a broad-spectrum anticancer drug, at a concentration of 10 micrograms/ml showed a cytotoxic effect in the order S180 greater than P388 greater than EAC. VRP alone exhibited the DNA synthesis inhibiting activity. The enhanced DNA biosynthesis inhibition of ADR along with VRP was maximal in S180 and marginal in P388 and EAC. The ADR retention after 3 hr of incubation in these tumour models correlated with the cytotoxicity. VRP enhanced the accumulation of ADR in all these cell lines. The property of potentiation in the activity and accumulation of ADR in these tumours exposed to a non-toxic concentration of VRP can best be utilized in cancer chemotherapy where the massive cytotoxic therapy, with a single large dose of ADR, can be substituted with a low dose, along with this drug-response modulator, for better therapeutic results.

The effect of hydroxyurea (HU) was studied in 15 cases of human chronic myeloid leukemia cells (CML) in combination with iron-chelating agent, 2,2-bipyridine (bipyridine). The extent of (3H)thymidine incorporation in CML cells in vitro was taken as an index for the measurement of cytotoxicity. In the present study, we observed a potentiation in HU cytotoxicity by hydrophobic iron-chelator bipyridine (p less than 0.001) resulting in complete DNA biosynthesis inhibition. Both HU and bipyridine were used at a relatively non-toxic concentrations of 10(-4) M and 10 micrograms/ml, respectively. This inhibition was found to be partially reversible and a partial protective action by iron is also demonstrated. The various other metal chelators failed to sensitise CML cells to HU cytotoxicity. Implications with respect to the efficacy in cancer treatment is discussed.

Vincristine and prednisolone are important drugs for induction therapy in acute lymphoblastic leukemia. In our experience quite a number of patients relapse during maintenance therapy after induction. At this stage some of the patients are resistant to vincristine and prednisolone. In the present study we attempted to explore whether vincristine could be used together with cytosine arabinoside. Vincristine being a phase-specific agent is known to synchronize the leukemic cells in vitro and a drug like cytosine arabinoside added after vincristine at the appropriate time is expected to have added cell kill. In vitro studies with leukemic cells confirmed the expected increase in cell kill with the addition of cytosine arabinoside 6 h after vincristine treatment. Simultaneously, the same approach was explored in the clinic. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients who were resistant to vincristine and prednisolone for reinduction, remitted with this strategy, i.e. with the addition of cytosine arabinoside 6 h after the vincristine treatment.

Cell surface modification was studied in a subline of murine leukemia resistant to adriamycin (P388/ADR). Lectin-induced agglutination was used as a probe. Agglutination was studied using two plant lectins, wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) and Ricinus communis agglutinin-I (RCA-I). A 7-fold higher amount of WGA and 14-fold higher amount of RCA-I were required to bring about minimum agglutination of P388/S as compared to P388/ADR. The present studies clearly indicate a change in the plasma membrane of P388/ADR cells.

Reversal of natural resistance to bouvardin (NSC 259968) has been attained in vitro and in vivo, by the calcium influx blocker verapamil in sarcoma 180 cells insensitive to bouvardin. Verapamil increased the in vitro lethality of the tumor cells following exposure with cells for 1 and 3 h as a result of the cytotoxic effect of bouvardin. Similar results were observed in vivo when the tumor cells were exposed to verapamil and then treated with bouvardin, showing a significant percent increase in the lifespan to 30% and 45%. This suggested that this calcium channel blocker had interacted with tumor cell membrane to modulate the response of the cells, and make them more amenable to the drug action.

Attempts were made to reverse the acquired resistance of P388 murine leukemia utilizing non-toxic concentration of nitroxazepine hydrochloride, an antidepressant. The effect of nitroxazepine hydrochloride on the intracellular accumulation of adriamycin and the inhibition of DNA synthesis were studied in these cells. The survival of mice bearing adriamycin-resistant P388 murine leukemia cells treated in vitro with nitroxazepine hydrochloride, adriamycin and a combination of the two drugs was also investigated. The results show that treatment of these cells with nitroxazepine hydrochloride significantly enhanced (1) the intracellular accumulation of adriamycin, (2) inhibition of DNA biosynthesis, and (3) the survival of mice transplanted with adriamycin-resistant P388 murine leukemia cells treated in vitro with a combination of nitroxazepine hydrochloride and adriamycin. The mechanism of restoration of drug sensitivity by nitroxazepine hydrochloride in adriamycin-resistant P388 cells could be due to an enhanced intracellular accumulation of adriamycin. The implications of the present investigations are promising, leaving hope for the utility of nitroxazepine hydrochloride in restoring drug sensitivity in adriamycin-resistant tumors.

The in vitro effect of sintamil, as a modulator alone and in combination with hydroxyurea (HU), on cytotoxicity was studied in 16 cases of human chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). We investigated the cytotoxicity of the drugs as a function of the exposure dose (HU, 10(-4) M; sintamil, 10 micrograms/ml) and the exposure time (1 h) to the agent. Cytotoxicity was evaluated as the inhibition of incorporation of [3H-methyl]thymidine in the nucleic acids of CML cells. Cytotoxicity of HU was greatly enhanced (P less than 0.001) by 1 h exposure of the CML cells to sintamil. The present data indicate that sintamil potentiates the cytotoxic activity of HU in CML cells.

Cell surface alteration was studied in a subline of murine lymphocytic leukaemia resistant to the broad-spectrum anticancer agent adriamycin (P388/ADR) employing concanavalin A(Con A)-induced agglutination and rearrangement of lectin receptors. Con A induced more agglutination of P388/ADR when compared to the drug-sensitive parental cell line (P388/S). Studies on the redistribution of Con A and Ricinus communis agglutinin-I revealed a high percentage of P388/ADR showing internalized fluorescence, while a majority of P388/S displayed a uniform distribution of fluorescence on the cell surface.