Current results of the screening program at the division of cancer treatment, national cancer institute

Studies on the interactions between human serum albumin and trans-indazolium (bisindazole) tetrachlororuthenate(III).

Albumin microspheres are biodegradable particles which can be readily radiolabelled and synthesized in the size range of 1 to 200 microns. During the last 30 years extensive efforts have been made towards the design and development of this carrier for the purpose of diagnosis and drug delivery. This review presents a thorough discussion on the physico-chemical characteristics of albumin microspheres.

Albumin Microspheres I: Physico-Chemical Characteristics

The stability of solutions of the antitumour antimetabolites, vinca alkaloids, podophyllotoxins, interferons, steroids and platinum drugs as well as maytansine, asparaginase, amsacrine, flavone-8-acetic acid, mitoguazone, and N-phosphonoacetyl-L-aspartate (PALA) is reviewed. Much of the published work has been done with biological, not stability-indicating, assays; thus, the relevant results should be used with caution. With this proviso, almost all of these drugs can be stored in solution for several days at room temperature or 4°C. Most reports also suggest that the drugs that have been tested are stable when frozen in solution. For a number of the drugs, particular precautions are required; for instance, amsacrine should not be mixed with chloride-containing solutions, whereas cisplatin is most stable in solutions containing >0.1 M chloride.

Stability of solutions of antineoplastic agents during preparation and storage for in vitro assays. II. Assay methods, adriamycin and the other antitumour antibiotics.

Studies on the interactions between human serum albumin and imidazolium [trans-tetrachlorobis(imidazol)ruthenate(III)].

The influence of human serum albumin (HA) on the biological effects of 13 chemotherapeutic agents was studied in vitro in the human leukaemia cell line MOLT-3. On the basis of changes in biological activity influenced by HA, these drugs may be divided into three types. Type I agents include cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (II), 4'-(9-acridinylamino)methanesulphon-m-anisidide, neocarzinostatin, nitrogen mustard, adriamycin, daunorubicin and mitomycin C--drugs whose biological activities are reduced in the presence of HA. The biological activities of Type II drugs (cytosine arabinoside, fluorouracil and actinomycin D) are not influenced by HA. The biological activities of Type III drugs (bleomycin, vincristine and vinblastine) are increased in the presence of HA. These results indicate that serum HA interferes in vitro with certain anticancer agents in terms of biological activity and, probably, clinical effectiveness. HA-drug interaction may be a major factor governing the pharmacology of Type I anticancer agents in man.

Interaction of human serum albumin with anticancer agents in vitro.

m-AMSA is a synthetic aminoacridine DNA intercalator found to have experimental murine antitumor activity. A phase I investigation was undertaken in 71 patients with solid tumors and acute leukemia. Using an intermittent every 3-week schedule in solid tumors, toxicity encountered was primarily hematologic, predominantly leukopenia with relative platelet sparing. The recommended dose for phase II evaluation in patients with solid tumors is 90 mg/m2 every 3 weeks; patients with minimal prior therapy could be treated at 120 mg/m2 and patients with hepatic dysfunction or marginal bone marrow reserve should have an initial dose reduction to 70 mg/m2. Therapeutic activity was seen in Hodgkin's disease, hepatoma, and epidermoid carcinoma of the esophagus. Various dose schedules were studied in leukemia. The recommended dose for phase II evaluation is 120 mg/m2 daily for 5 days as a daily 30-minute infusion. At this dose, nausea, vomiting, mucositis, alopecia, and hepatic toxicity were noted. Therapeutic activity was seen in AML, blastic CML, and CLL. Further clinical trials with this agent are warranted.

J F Holland

Papers

Interaction of human serum albumin with anticancer agents in vitro.

Phase I study of m-AMSA in patients with solid tumors and leukemias.