2780AD Cells Research Articles

P-glycoprotein antagonists confer synergistic sensitivity to short-chain ceramide in human multidrug-resistant cancer cells

P-glycoprotein (P-gp) antagonists inhibit ceramide metabolism at the juncture of glycosylation. The purpose of this study was to test whether targeting P-gp would be a viable alternative to targeting glucosylceramide synthase (GCS) for enhancing ceramide cytotoxicity. A2780 wild-type, and multidrug-resistant 2780AD and NCI/ADR-RES human ovarian cancer cell lines and the cell-permeable ceramide analog, C6-ceramide (C6-cer), were employed. Compared to P-gp-poor A2780 cells, P-gp-rich 2780AD cells converted 3.7-fold more C6-cer to nontoxic C6-glucosylceramide (C6-GC), whereas cell-free GCS activities were equal. 2780AD cells displayed resistance to C6-cer (10 μM) that was reversed by inclusion of the P-gp antagonist tamoxifen (5 μM) but not by inclusion of a GCS inhibitor. Co-administration of C6-cer and P-gp antagonists was also effective in NCI/ADR-RES cells. For example, C6-cer, VX-710 (Biricodar), and cyclosporin A (cyc A) exposure resulted in viabilities of ~90% of control; however, C6-cer/VX-710 and C6-cer/cyc A additions were synergistic and resulted in viabilities of 22% and 17%, respectively. Further, whereas C6-ceramide and cyc A imparted 1.5- and 0-fold increases in caspase 3/7 activity, the combination produced a 3.5-fold increase. Although the upstream elements of cell death have not been elucidated, the novel C6-ceramide/P-gp antagonist combination merits further study and assessment of clinical translational potential.

The Structure of a New Cardenolide Diglycoside and the Biological Activities of Eleven Cardenolide Diglycosides from <i>Nerium oleander</i>

A new cardenolide diglycoside (1) was isolated from Nerium oleander together with ten known cardenolide diglycosides 2-11. The structure of compound 1 was established on the basis of their spectroscopic data. The in vitro anti-inflammatory activity of compounds 1-11 was examined on the basis of inhibitory activity against the induction of the intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1). Compounds 2-5 were active at an IC(50) value of less than 0.8 µM. The cytotoxicity of compounds 1-11 was evaluated against three human cell lines normal human fibroblast cells (WI-38), malignant tumor cells induced from WI-38 (VA-13), and human liver tumor cells (HepG2). Compound 3 was active toward VA-13 cells, and compounds 2-5 were active toward HepG2 cells at IC(50) values of less than 1.3 µM. The multidrug resistance (MDR)-reversal activity of compounds 1-11 was evaluated on the basis of the amount of calcein in MDR human ovarian cancer 2780AD cells in the presence of each compound. Compounds 1 and 8 showed moderate effects on calcein accumulation.

Polar cardenolide monoglycosides from stems and twigs of Nerium oleander and their biological activities

Twelve polar cardenolide monoglycosides, 1, 2, 4–13, and oleagenin (3) were isolated from the methanol extract of stems and twigs of Nerium oleander. Among these, oleagenin (3) and cardenolide monoglycosides named cardenolide B-1 (1) and cardenolide B-2 (2) were isolated from natural sources for the first time. The in vitro antiinflammatory activity of compounds 1–13 was examined on the basis of inhibitory activity against the induction of the intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1). Compounds 4–7 were active at an IC50 value of less than 0.4 μM. The cytotoxic activity of compounds 1–13 was evaluated against three human cell lines: normal human fibroblast cells (WI-38), malignant tumor cells derived from WI-38 (VA-13), and human liver tumor cells (HepG2). Compounds 4, 6, and 7 were active toward these three cell lines at IC50 values of less than 0.7 μM, and compounds 5 and 8 were active toward the cell lines at IC50 values of less than 1.5 μM. The multidrug resistance (MDR) cancer-reversal activity of compounds 1–13 was evaluated on the basis of the amount of calcein accumulated in MDR human ovarian cancer 2780AD cells in the presence of each compound. Compound 1 and 12 showed significant effects on calcein accumulation.

Pgp inhibition by UIC2 antibody can be followed in vitro by using tumor-diagnostic radiotracers, 99mTc-MIBI and 18FDG

P-glycoprotein (Pgp, ABCB1) is one of the active efflux pumps that are able to extrude a large variety of chemotherapeutic drugs from the cells, causing the phenomenon of multidrug resistance. It has been shown earlier that the combined application of a class of Pgp modulators (e.g. cyclosporine A and SDZ PSC 833) used at low concentrations and UIC2 antibody is a novel, specific, and effective way of blocking Pgp function (Goda et al., 2007). In the present work we study the UIC2 antibody mediated Pgp inhibition in more detail measuring the accumulation of tumor diagnostic radiotracers, 2-[(18)F]fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose ((18)FDG) and [(99m)Tc]hexakis-2-methoxybutyl isonitrile ((99m)Tc-MIBI), into Pgp(+) (A2780AD) and Pgp(-) (A2780) human ovarian carcinoma cells. Co-incubation of cells with UIC2 and cyclosporine A (CSA, 2μM) increased the binding of UIC2 more than 3-fold and reverted the rhodamine 123 (R123), daunorubicin (DNR) and (99m)Tc-MIBI accumulation of the Pgp(+) 2780AD cells to approx. the same level as observed in Pgp(-) cells. Similarly, 50μM paclitaxel (Pacl) increased UIC2 binding, and consequently reinstated the uptake of R123, DNR and (99m)Tc-MIBI into the Pgp(+) cells. Blocking Pgp by combined treatments with CSA+UIC2 or Pacl+UIC2 also decreased the glucose metabolic rate of the A2780AD Pgp(+) cells measured in (18)FDG accumulation experiments suggesting that the maintenance of Pgp activity requires a considerable amount of energy. Similar treatments of the A2780 Pgp(-) cells did not result in significant change in the R123, DNR, (99m)Tc-MIBI and (18)FDG accumulation demonstrating that the above effects are Pgp-specific. Thus, combined treatment with the UIC2 antibody and Pgp modulators can completely block the function of Pgp in human ovarian carcinoma cells and this effect can be followed in vitro by using tumor-diagnostic radiotracers, (99m)Tc-MIBI and (18)FDG.

The biological activities of cardenolide triglycosides from stems, twigs, and leaves of Nerium oleander

Sixteen cardenolide triglycosides (1–16) were isolated from stems, twigs, and leaves of Nerium oleander. Among them, 3β-O-(4-O-gentiobiosyl-d-diginosyl)-7β,8-epoxy-14-hydroxy-5β,14β-card-20(22)-enolide, named cardenolide B-3 (16), was isolated from natural sources for the first time. The in vitro anti-inflammatory activities of compounds 1–16 were examined on the basis of inhibitory activity against the induction of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1). Compounds 1–5 were active at an IC50 value of less than 7 μM. The cytotoxic activity of isolated compounds was evaluated against three human cell lines: normal human fibroblast cells (W-38), malignant tumor cells induced from WI-38 (VA-13), and human liver tumor cells (HepG2). Compounds 1–5 were active toward WI-38 cells; compounds 1, 3, and 5 were active toward VA-13 cells; and compounds 1–5 were active toward HepG2 cells at IC50 values of less than 10 μM. The multidrug-resistant (MDR) cancer-reversal activity of compounds 1–16 was evaluated on the basis of the amount of calcein accumulated in MDR human ovarian cancer 2780AD cells in the presence of each compound. Compounds 13 and 14 showed significant effects on calcein accumulation.

Bioactive Cardenolides from the Stems and Twigs of Nerium oleander

Four new cardenolide monoglycosides, cardenolides N-1 (1), N-2 (2), N-3 (3), and N-4 (4), were isolated from Nerium oleander, together with two known cardenolides, 5 and 12, and seven cardenolide monoglycosides, 6-11 and 13. The structures of compounds 1-4 were established on the basis of their spectroscopic data. The in vitro anti-inflammatory activity of compounds 1-13 was examined on the basis of inhibitory activity against the induction of the intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1). Compounds 1, 5, 6, and 11-13 were active at an IC50 value of less than 1 microM. The cytotoxicity of compounds 1-13 was evaluated against three human cell lines, normal human fibroblast cells (WI-38), malignant tumor cells induced from WI-38 (VA-13), and human liver tumor cells (HepG2). Compounds 1, 4, 6, and 11-13 were active toward V-13 cells, and compounds 1, 11, and 12 were active toward HepG2 cells at IC50 values of less than 1 microM. Compounds 4, 5, 10, and 12 showed selective cell growth inhibitory activity toward V-13 tumor cells compared with that of parental normal WI-38 cells. The MDR-reversal activity of compounds 1-13 was evaluated on the basis of the amount of calcein accumulated in MDR human ovarian cancer 2780AD cells in the presence of each compound. Compounds 4, 9, and 10 showed significant effects on calcein accumulation, compound 4 showing stronger activity than that of verapamil.

Synthesis and structure–activity relationships of taxuyunnanine C derivatives as multidrug resistance modulator in MDR cancer cells

A series of new generation taxoids bearing a bulky group on different positions such as C-2, C-5, C-7, C-9, C-10 or C-14 were obtained by chemical modifications and biotransformation of taxuyunnanine C (1) and its analogs, 4, 5, and 10. Compounds 3, 5, 6, 8, and 9a showed significant activity toward calcein accumulation in MDR 2780AD cells. The most effective compound 9a with a cinnamoyloxy group at C-14 and a hydroxyl group at C-10 was actually efficient for the cellular accumulation of the anticancer agent, vincristine, in MDR 2780AD cells. The enhancing effects of 6 and 9a for taxol, adriamycin, and vincristine were at the same levels as those of verapamil toward MDR 2780AD cells. Thus, compounds 6 and 9a can modulate the multidrug resistance of cancer cells. The cytotoxicity (IC(50)) of the compounds was examined against human normal cell line, WI-38, and cancer model cell lines, VA-13 and HepG2. Since compounds 6 and 8 had no cytotoxicity, they were expected to be lead compounds of MDR cancer reversal agents. On the contrary, compounds 3, 5, and 9a showed cell growth inhibitory activity toward VA-13 and/or HepG2 as well as accumulation activity of calcein and/or vincristine in MDR 2780AD and they were expected to be lead compounds of new-type anticancer agents.

Bioactive Lignans from Peperomia duclouxii

Six new lignans (1-6), along with 14 known compounds, were obtained from Peperomia duclouxii. The new structures were elucidated mainly by the analysis of their NMR and MS data. The absolute configurations of 1-6 were determined by comparing their optical rotations or CD spectra with those of known compounds. In cytotoxic and MDR reversal cell activity assays, compound 3 showed cancer cell growth inhibitory activity against VA-13 and HepG2 cells, with IC50 values of 5.3 and 13.2 microg/mL, and more potent effects on calcein accumulation in MDR 2780AD cells than verapamil, a positive control. Compound 6 showed anti-inflammatory activity using an ICAM-1 assay (induction of the intercellular adhesion molecule-1), stimulated by IL-1alpha and TNF-alpha.

Structure–activity relationships of some taxoids as multidrug resistance modulator

1,7-Deoxy-4-deacetylbaccatin III (12) and its five analogues 6-9, 13, and their oxetane ring opened derivatives 14, 16, and 17, which were synthesized from taxinine, showed significant activity as MDR reversal agent by the assay of the calcein accumulation toward MDR human ovarian cancer 2780AD cells. The most effective compound 12 in this assay is actually efficient for the recovery of cytotoxic activity of paclitaxel (taxol), adriamycin (ADM), and vincristine (VCR) toward MDR 2780AD cells at the same level toward parental 2780 cells. This activity of 12 is very interesting because baccatin III (4) has no such MDR reversal activity but has cytotoxic activity. The essential functional groups inducing such a difference in biological activity between 4 and 12 are 4alpha-acetoxyl for 4 and 4alpha-hydroxyl for 12. In seven compounds possessing MDR reversal activity, compound 12 is the most desirable compound for anti-MDR cancer reversal agent, because it has the highest accumulation ability of anticancer agent in MDR cancer cells and weak cytotoxic activity. Compounds 8 and 13 showed significant cytotoxic activity toward HepG2 and VA-13, respectively, as well as MDR reversal activity. They are expected to become lead compounds for new types of anticancer agent or anti-MDR cancer agent.

Bioactive Pregnanes from Nerium oleander

Three new pregnanes, 21-hydroxypregna-4,6-diene-3,12,20-trione (1), 20R-hydroxypregna-4,6-diene-3,12-dione (2), and 16beta,17beta-epoxy-12beta-hydroxypregna-4,6-diene-3,20-dione (3), were isolated from Nerium oleander, together with two known compounds, 12beta-hydroxypregna-4,6,16-triene-3,20-dione (neridienone A, 4) and 20S,21-dihydroxypregna-4,6-diene-3,12-dione (neridienone B, 5). The structures of compounds 1-3 were established on the basis of their spectroscopic data. The anti-inflammatory activity in vitro of compounds 2-4 was examined on the basis of inhibitory activity against the induction of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and compound 4 was active. The cytotoxic activity of compounds 1-5 was evaluated against four human cell lines, normal human fibroblast cells (WI-38), malignant tumor cells induced from WI-38 (VA-13), human liver tumor cells (HepG2), and human lung carcinoma cells (A-549). Compound 4 showed significant cell growth inhibition of VA-13 and HepG2 cells. The MDR-reversal activity of compounds 1-5 was evaluated on the basis of the amount of calcein accumulated in MDR human ovarian cancer 2780AD cells in the presence of each compound. Compounds 1, 2, and 5 showed significant effects on calcein accumulation.

Comparative evaluation of the treatment efficacy of suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) and paclitaxel in ovarian cancer cell lines and primary ovarian cancer cells from patients

BackgroundIn most patients with ovarian cancer, diagnosis occurs after the tumour has disseminated beyond the ovaries. In these cases, post-surgical taxane/platinum combination chemotherapy is the "gold standard". However, most of the patients experience disease relapse and eventually die due to the emergence of chemotherapy resistance. Histone deacetylase inhibitors are novel anticancer agents that hold promise to improve patient outcome.MethodsWe compared a prototypic histone deacetylase inhibitor, suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA), and paclitaxel for their treatment efficacy in ovarian cancer cell lines and in primary patient-derived ovarian cancer cells. The primary cancer cells were isolated from malignant ascites collected from five patients with stage III ovarian carcinomas. Cytotoxic activities were evaluated by Alamar Blue assay and by caspase-3 activation. The ability of SAHA to kill drug-resistant 2780AD cells was also assessed.ResultsBy employing the cell lines OVCAR-3, SK-OV-3, and A2780, we established SAHA at concentrations of 1 to 20 μM to be as efficient in inducing cell death as paclitaxel at concentrations of 3 to 300 nM. Consequently, we treated the patient-derived cancer cells with these doses of the drugs. All five isolates were sensitive to SAHA, with cell killing ranging from 21% to 63% after a 72-h exposure to 20 μM SAHA, while four of them were resistant to paclitaxel (i.e., <10% cell death at 300 nM paclitaxel for 72 hours). Likewise, treatment with SAHA led to an increase in caspase-3 activity in all five isolates, whereas treatment with paclitaxel had no effect on caspase-3 activity in three of them. 2780AD cells were responsive to SAHA but resistant to paclitaxel.ConclusionThese ex vivo findings raise the possibility that SAHA may prove effective in the treatment of paclitaxel-resistant ovarian cancer in vivo.

ATP-binding Cassette Transporters Are Enriched in Non-caveolar Detergent-insoluble Glycosphingolipid-enriched Membrane Domains (DIGs) in Human Multidrug-resistant Cancer Cells

In this study we show that P-glycoprotein in multidrug-resistant 2780AD human ovarian carcinoma cells and multidrug resistance-associated protein 1 in multidrug-resistant HT29col human colon carcinoma cells are predominantly located in Lubrol-based detergent-insoluble glycosphingolipid-enriched membrane domains. This localization is independent of caveolae, since 2780AD cells do not express caveolin-1. Although HT29col cells do express caveolin-1, the ATP-binding cassette transporter and caveolin-1 were dissociated on the basis of differential solubility in Triton X-100 and absence of microscopical colocalization. While both the multidrug resistance-associated protein 1 and caveolin-1 are located in Lubrol-based membrane domains, they occupy different regions of these domains.

Multidrug Resistance Reversal Activity of Taxoids from Taxus cuspidate in KB‐C2 and 2780AD Cells

Some non‐taxol‐type taxoids having neither an oxetane ring at C‐4 and C‐5 nor an N‐acylphenylisoserine group at C‐13, such as taxuspine C, 2′‐desacetoxyaustrospicatine, and 2‐desacetoxytaxinine J, which were isolated from the Japanese yew Taxus cuspidata, increased cellular accumulation of vincristine (VCR) in multidrug‐resistant 2780AD cells as potently as verapamil, and efficiently inhibited [3H]azidopine photolabeling of P‐glycoprotein (P‐gp). Taxuspine C, 2′‐desacetoxyaustrospicatine, and 2‐desacetoxytaxinine J at 10μM completely reversed the resistance to colchicine, VCR, and taxol in KB‐C2 cells, which overexpress P‐gp, while taxinine and taxinine M showed no effect. Taxuspine C, 2′‐desacetoxyaustrospicatine, and 2‐desacetoxytaxinine J may be candidate pharmaceuticals for reversing multidrug resistance (MDR) and also may be good modifiers of MDR in cancer chemotherapy.

Inhibition of P-Glycoprotein Activity and Chemosensitization of Multidrug-Resistant Ovarian Carcinoma 2780AD Cells by Hexanoylglucosylceramide

In the present study we show that neutral hexanoyl-(glyco)sphingolipids inhibit P-glycoprotein (Pgp) activity in human ovarian 2780AD cells. By contrast, hexanoylceramide and the gangliosides GM(3) and GM(2) had no effect on Pgp activity, whereas sphingosine had a stimulating effect. In the case of hexanoylglucosylceramide, inhibition of Pgp activity by was reflected by a regained doxorubicin sensitivity of cells, which were grown in medium supplemented with the lipid. Our results lead to the conclusion that a direct transmodulation of Pgp activity by glycolipids occurs, depending on lipid headgroup structure, which can result in reduced resistance to the chemotherapeutic agent doxorubicin.

CPT-11 sensitivity in relation to the expression of P170-glycoprotein and multidrug resistance-associated protein.

The relevance of P170-glycoprotein (P-gp) and multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP) for the sensitivity to CPT-11 was investigated in human malignant cell lines as well as in human tumour xenografts. In vitro, the P-gp-positive sublines BRO/mdr1.1 (transfected with MDR1) and 2780AD were slightly cross-resistant against carboxylesterase-activated CPT-11. Cross-resistance against SN-38 was present in 2780AD cells, but not in BRO/mdr1.1 cells. The P-gp modulators BIBW22BS, verapamil and dexniguldipine partly reversed the resistance against CPT-11 in the P-gp-positive sublines. BIBW22BS was the most effective modulator in the reversal of the resistance against carboxylesterase-activated CPT-11 as well as against SN-38 in the 2780AD subline. In contrast to doxorubicin and vincristine, the BRO/mdr1.1 xenografts were at least as sensitive to CPT-11 as the BRO xenografts. The 2780AD xenografts were slightly less sensitive than the parent tumours, but there was no difference in topoisomerase I DNA unwinding activity. Therefore, the high retention of the multidrug-resistant phenotype of 2780AD cells in vivo may be the cause of the low cross-resistance against CPT-11. The MRP-positive subline GLC4/ADR was cross-resistant against carboxylesterase-activated CPT-11 and SN-38. GLC4/ADR cells, however, demonstrated a twofold lower topoisomerase I activity than GLC4 cells. Cross-resistance against the camptothecin derivatives was not apparent in the MRP-transfected subline of SW1573/S1. In conclusion, P-gp-positive cells show a low cross-resistance against CPT-11/SN38, which is only apparent with high P-gp expression in vivo. MRP does not seem to play a role in the sensitivity to CPT-11.

Detection of Soluble P-Glycoprotein in Culture Media and Extracellular Fluids

Multidrug resistance (MDR) is a unique phenomenon in cancer patients and is commonly associated with an overexpression of the human MDR gene mdr1, which encodes an energy-dependent Mr 180 kDa membrane bound protein, known as P-glycoprotein. P-glycoprotein serves as a membrane efflux to pump the drugs out of the cancer cells. Western blot analysis, using a newly generated monoclonal antibody F4 which recognizes specifically an extracellular epitope of human MDR1 P-glycoprotein, reveals that soluble P-glycoprotein is detected in the cultured media of viable adriamycin-resistant human ovarian carcinoma 2780AD cells, whereas those of the drug-sensitive parent A2780 cells contain no detectable level of soluble P-glycoprotein. Soluble P-glycoprotein also is detected in extracellular fluids of cancer patients, such as malignant ascites and serum, and is not detectable in serum samples of normal healthy individuals. The Mr of soluble P-glycoprotein is the same as that of membrane bound P-glycoprotein. The presence of soluble P-glycoprotein in extracellular fluids may provide the basis for its use as a quantitative parameter of MDR and as a means to lessen or reverse MDR.

Characterization of a new monoclonal antibody F4 detecting cell surface epitope and P-glycoprotein in drug-resistant human tumor cell lines.

Using viable adriamycin resistant human ovarian carcinoma cells 2780AD and colchicine resistant human oral epidermoid carcinoma cells KB-24 as the immunogen in primary and subsequent i.p. immunizations, followed by i.v. boostings with crude plasma membranes of 2780AD, KB-24, Chinese hamster lung cells resistant to vincristine DC-3F/VCRd-5L, and resistant to daunorubicin DC-3F/DMXX, we have generated a new murine monoclonal antibody (McAb), designated F4, of IgG1 isotype. McAb F4 reacted strongly with a cell surface epitope of drug resistant cells and insignificantly with their drug sensitive counterparts. Cell surface localization of F4 epitope was determined by immunofluorescence and laser scanning confocal imaging system. Results obtained from immunoprecipitation and immunoblot analyses using F4 and mdr1 P-glycoprotein specific McAb JSB-1 demonstrated the reactivity of P-glycoprotein with F4. These results along with those obtained from competitive binding-inhibition, chemical modification, and enzyme hydrolysis, revealed that McAb F4 detects an extracellular epitope of P-glycoprotein, and is different from other major McAbs directed against P-glycoprotein, e.g. C219, MRK16, JSB-1, HYB-241 and C494. Deduced from the putative structure of mdr1 protein and its orientation in cell membrane, it is proposed that F4 epitope is localized in or near the 3rd, and/or 6th extracellular transmembrane loops of P-glycoprotein.

Cyclosporin A and verapamil have different effects on energy metabolism in multidrug-resistant tumour cells

Cyclosporin A (Sandimmune) rapidly induced an increase in daunorubicin accumulation in multidrug-resistant human ovarian carcinoma cells (2780AD) and was more potent than verapamil. Steady-state 3H-cyclosporin A accumulation at 37 degrees C in 2780AD cells was 60-70% of that in the sensitive A2780 cells. A rapid increase of ATP consumption and lactate production was induced in 2780AD cells by verapamil, but not by cyclosporin A. These results suggest that the interactions of cyclosporin A and verapamil with P-glycoprotein, which leads to inhibition of drug transport, have a different mechanistic basis.

Cellular and tissue distribution of MRK20 murine monoclonal antibody-defined 85-kDa protein in adriamycin-resistant cancer cell lines.

A murine monoclonal antibody (MAb) specific to adriamycin‐resistant K‐562 (K‐562/ADM) cells, MRK20, was found to react strongly with an 85‐kDa protein present in K‐562/ADM and adriamycin‐resistant ovarian cancer (2780AD) cells. This protein was present at only very low levels in parental cells (K‐562 and A2780), methotrexate‐resistant K‐562 cells (K‐562/MTX3, K‐562/MTX4 and K‐562/MTX5) and cisplatin‐resistant ovarian cells (KFr). Immunoelectron microscopically, the protein was found to be located on the cell membrane of K‐562/ADM and 2780AD cells. Furthermore, the presence of the protein in various cell lines, normal tissues and surgical materials from patients given no anti‐cancer agents was examined by immunocytochemistry and flow cytometry. MRK20 reacted with granulocytes, monocytes and endothelial cells in various tissues, but did not react with tissue macrophages. This 85‐kDa protein recognized by MRK20 seems to be the second multidrug‐resistance gene‐encoded product appearing in adriamycin‐resistant cancer cells, following the characterization of 170‐180‐kDa glycoprotein, and may be important for elucidating the multidrug‐resistance mechanism relevant to adriamycin and Vinca alkaloids.

Potentiation of doxorubicin cytotoxicity by the calcium antagonist bepridil in anthracycline-resistant and -sensitive cell lines. A comparison with verapamil.

The ability of the calcium channel blocker bepridil (Bp) to potentiate doxorubicin (Dx) cytotoxicity and enhance its accumulation in anthracycline-sensitive and -resistant human ovarian carcinoma cells (A2780 and 2780AD) and Chinese hamster ovarian (CHO) cells (AUXB1 and CHRC5) was compared with that of verapamil (Vp). A continuous exposure (48-72 h) to Bp as well as Vp potentiated Dx cytotoxicity in 2780AD cells. In short-term incubations (2 h Dx and 4 h calcium channel blocker) the same effects were observed: 4 microM Bp (4Bp) and Vp (4Vp) were equipotent, but at concentrations of 1 and 2 microM, Vp was more active (4Vp = 4Bp greater than 2Vp greater than 2Bp greater than 1Vp greater than 1Bp). In CHRC5 cells the corresponding sequence was: 4Vp greater than 4Bp greater than 2Vp greater than 2Bp greater than 1Vp greater than 1Bp. At high (marginally inhibitory) concentrations, Bp and Vp reversed Dx resistance completely in CHRC5 cells and partly in 2780AD cells. No significant potentiation of Dx cytotoxicity by Bp or Vp was found in A2780 cells, but both were active in AUXB1 cells. In studies with radiolabelled Dx (2 microM), Bp and Vp (16.5 microM) stimulated accumulation in CHRC5 cells almost up to the level in AUXB1 cells. Dx accumulation in 2780AD cells (52 pmol/10(6) cells) could be stimulated to a maximum of about 90 pmol/10(6) cells (drug level in A2780 cells was 153 pmol/10(6) cells). Also, Bp- and Vp-induced stimulation of Dx accumulation was observed in AUXB1, but not in A2780 cells. Bp effected a dose-dependent inhibition of Dx efflux from preloaded 2780AD cells, but not from A2780 cells. We conclude that Bp is more effective than Vp in reversing resistance when both compounds are used in vitro at concentrations which are clinically achievable in plasma.