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Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology
Published in: Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology 1/2008

01-12-2008 | Original Article

In vitro and in vivo effects of the conformationally restricted polyamine analogue CGC-11047 on small cell and non-small cell lung cancer cells

Authors: Amy Hacker, Laurence J. Marton, Michelle Sobolewski, Robert A. Casero Jr.

Published in: Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology | Issue 1/2008

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Abstract

Purpose

Polyamines are essential for normal growth; however, the requirement for, and the metabolism of, polyamines are frequently dysregulated in cancer. Polyamine analogues have demonstrated promising preclinical results in multiple model systems of cancer, but their clinical utility has been limited by apparent toxicity. A representative compound of a new generation of short chain, conformationally restricted polyamine analogues, CGC-11047 has been synthesized and ongoing phase I clinical trials indicate it to be well tolerated at weekly doses of 610 mg (dose escalation is still in progress). Therefore, studies were designed to gain a better understanding of its effects on cellular polyamine biochemistry and efficacy in the treatment of human lung cancer models in vitro and in vivo.

Methods

Human lung cancers cell lines representing non-small cell and small cell lung cancers were investigated for their growth and biochemical response to CGC-11047. Effects of in vitro treatment with CGC-11047 on cell growth, the activity of the polyamine biosynthetic enzyme ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), and the expression and activity of the polyamine catabolic enzymes spermidine/spermine N 1-acetyltransferase (SSAT) and spermine oxides (SMO) were measured. Additionally, the overall effects on intracellular polyamine pools were monitored. Finally, the in vivo efficacy of CGC-11047 in the treatment of a nude mouse model of human non-small cell lung cancer was evaluated.

Results

CGC-11047 effectively inhibited the growth of both small cell and non-small cell lung cancer cells in vitro. The greatest biochemical effects were observed in the non-small cell lung cancer cells where in addition to a profound down regulation of ODC activity, there was a significant increase in polyamine catabolism leading to a greater degree of polyamine pool depletion and greater accumulation of CGC-11047 when compared with the changes observed for the small cell lines. Importantly, CGC-11047 was found to be highly significant (P < 0.0001) in delaying the progression of established tumors in an in vivo model of human non-small cell lung cancer.

Conclusion

CGC-11047 represents a promising new polyamine analogue that warrants further preclinical and, potentially, clinical evaluation in lung cancer.
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Metadata
Title
In vitro and in vivo effects of the conformationally restricted polyamine analogue CGC-11047 on small cell and non-small cell lung cancer cells
Authors
Amy Hacker
Laurence J. Marton
Michelle Sobolewski
Robert A. Casero Jr.
Publication date
01-12-2008
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology / Issue 1/2008
Print ISSN: 0344-5704
Electronic ISSN: 1432-0843
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00280-008-0706-x

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