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Previous work has shown platinum drugs to differ in their effects on the peripheral nervous system. To test whether their differential toxicity was due to differences in their partitioning into the peripheral nervous system, we correlated the hydrophobicity, reactivity, tissue accumulation and neurotoxicity of a series of eight platinum analogues. Neurotoxicity was detected by measuring sensory nerve conduction velocity (SNCV) in Wistar rats treated twice per week at the maximum tolerated dose. Tissue platinum concentrations were measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Hydrophobicity (log P) was measured using an octanol-aqueous shake-flask method. The half-life of platinum drug binding to plasma proteins in vitro was determined. The cumulative dose causing altered SNCV ranged from 15 to > 2050 μmol kg–1. Ranking of the compounds by their neurotoxic potency in rats (oxaliplatin >R,R -(DACH)PtC4> ormaplatin >S,S -(DACH)PtCl4>S,S -(DACH)Pt oxalato > cisplatin > carboplatin > JM216) correlated with the frequency of neurotoxicity in patients (r> 0.99;P< 0.05). Ranking the compounds by their peripheral nerve accumulation was cisplatin > carboplatin > oxaliplatin >R,R -(DACH)PtCl4≈S,S -(DACH)PtCl4and did not correlate with neurotoxicity. Log P ranged from – 2.53 to –0.16 but did not correlate with neurotoxicity. Log P correlated inversely with platinum accumulation in dorsal root ganglia (r2= 0.99;P = 0.04), sural nerve (r2= 0.85;P = 0.025), sciatic nerve (r2= 0.98;P = 0.0012), spinal cord (r2= 0.97, P = 0.018) and brain (r2= 0.98, P = 0.001). Reactivity correlated with neurotoxicity potency in rats (r2= 0.89, P = 0.0005) and with the frequency of neurotoxicity in patients (r2= 0.99, P = 0.0002). The hydrophilicity of platinum drugs correlates with platinum sequestration in the peripheral nervous system but not with neurotoxicity. Differences in the reactivity of platinum complexes accounts for some of the variation in their neurotoxicity. © 2000 Cancer Research Campaign Show less

Damage to cellular DNA is believed to determine the antiproliferative properties of platinum (Pt) drugs. This study characterized DNA damage by oxaliplatin, a diaminocyclohexane Pt drug with clinical antitumor activity. Compared with cisplatin, oxaliplatin formed significantly fewer Pt-DNA adducts (e.g., 0.86+/-0.04 versus 1.36+/- 0.01 adducts/10(6) base pairs/10 microM drug/1 h, respectively, in CEM cells, P<.01). Oxaliplatin was found to induce potentially lethal bifunctional lesions, such as interstrand DNA cross-links (ISC) and DNA-protein cross-links (DPC) in CEM cells. As with total adducts, however, oxaliplatin produced fewer (P<.05) bifunctional lesions than did cisplatin: 0.7+/-0.2 and 1.8+/-0.3 ISC and 0.8+/-0.1 and 1.5+/-0.3 DPC/10(6) base pairs/10 microM drug, respectively, after a 4-h treatment. Extended postincubation (up to 12 h) did not compensate the lower DPC and ISC levels by oxaliplatin. ISC and DPC determinations in isolated CEM nuclei unequivocally verified that oxaliplatin is inherently less able than cisplatin to form these lesions. Reactivation of drug-treated plasmids, observed in four cell lines, suggests that oxaliplatin adducts are repaired with similar kinetics as cisplatin adducts. Oxaliplatin, however, was more efficient than cisplatin per equal number of DNA adducts in inhibiting DNA chain elongation ( approximately 7-fold in CEM cells). Despite lower DNA reactivity, oxaliplatin exhibited similar or greater cytotoxicity in several other human tumor cell lines (50% growth inhibition in CEM cells at 1.1/1.2 microM, respectively). The results demonstrate that oxaliplatin-induced DNA lesions, including ISC and DPC, are likely to contribute to the drug's biological properties. However, oxaliplatin requires fewer DNA lesions than does cisplatin to achieve cell growth inhibition. Show less

We showed recently that the high-salt transition of poly[d(G-C)]. poly[d(G-C)] between B-DNA and Z-DNA (at [NaCl] = 2.25 M or [MgCl(2)] = 0.7 M) can be ascribed to the lesser electrostatic free energy of the B form, due to better immersion of the phosphates in the solution. This property was incorporated in cylindrical DNA models that were analyzed by Poisson-Boltzmann theory. The results are insensitive to details of the models, and in fair agreement with experiment. In contrast, the Z form of the poly[d(G-m5C)] duplex is stabilized by very small concentrations of magnesium. We now show that this striking difference is accommodated quantitatively by the same electrostatic theory, without any adjustable parameter. The different responses to magnesium of the methylated and nonmethylated polymers do not come from stereospecific cation-DNA interactions: they stem from an experimentally derived, modest difference in the nonelectrostatic component of the free energy difference (or NFED) between the Z and B forms. The NFED is derived from circular DNA measurements. The differences between alkaline earth and transition metal ions are explained by weak coordination of the latter. The theory also explains the induction of the transition by micromolar concentrations of cobalt hexammine, again without specific binding or adjustable parameters. Hence, in the case of the B-Z transition as in others (e.g., the folding of tRNA and of ribozymes), the effect of multivalent cations on nucleic acid structure is mediated primarily by nonspecific ion-polyelectrolyte interactions. We propose this as a general rule for which convincing counter-examples are lacking. Show less

For the bulk of mammalian DNA, the core protein factors needed for damage recognition and incision during nucleotide excision repair (NER) are the XPA protein, the heterotrimeric RPA protein, the 6 to 9-subunit TFIIH, the XPC-hHR23B complex, the XPG nuclease, and the ERCC1-XPF nuclease. With varying efficiencies, NER can repair a very wide range of DNA adducts, from bulky helical distortions to subtle modifications on sugar residues. Several of the NER factors have an affinity for damaged DNA. The strongest binding factor appears to be XPC-hHR23B but preferential binding to damage is also a property of XPA, RPA, and components of TFIIH. It appears that in order to be repaired by NER, an adduct in DNA must have two features: it must create a helical distortion, and there must be a change in DNA chemistry. Initial recognition of the distortion is the most likely function for XPC-hHR23B and perhaps XPA and RPA, whereas TFIIH is well-suited to locate the damaged DNA strand by locating altered DNA chemistry that blocks translocation of the XPB and XPD components. Show less

Oxaliplatin, a platinum-based chemotherapeutic agent with a 1,2-diaminocyclohexane (DACH) carrier ligand, has shown in vitro and in vivo efficacy against many tumor cell lines, including some that are resistant to cisplatin and carboplatin. The retention of the bulky DACH ring by activated oxaliplatin is thought to result in the formation of platinum-DNA adducts, which appear to be more effective at blocking DNA replication and are more cytotoxic than adducts formed from cisplatin. Studies by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) have suggested that oxaliplatin has a spectrum of activity different from that of either cisplatin or carboplatin, suggesting that it has different molecular targets and/or mechanisms of resistance. Oxaliplatin has been demonstrated to differ in some mechanisms associated with the development of cisplatin resistance. Compared with cisplatin-conditioned cells, deficiencies in mismatch repair (MMR) and increases in replicative bypass, which appear to contribute to cisplatin resistance, have not been shown to induce a similar resistance to oxaliplatin. A decreased likelihood of resistance development makes oxaliplatin a good candidate for first-line therapy. Studies also demonstrate additive and/or synergistic activity with a number of other compounds, however, suggesting the possible use of oxaliplatin in combination therapies. Show less

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are thought to be involved in many forms of programmed cell death. The role of ROS in cell death caused by oxidative glutamate toxicity was studied in an immortalized mouse hippocampal cell line (HT22). The causal relationship between ROS production and glutathione (GSH) levels, gene expression, caspase activity, and cytosolic Ca2+ concentration was examined. An initial 5-10-fold increase in ROS after glutamate addition is temporally correlated with GSH depletion. This early increase is followed by an explosive burst of ROS production to 200-400-fold above control values. The source of this burst is the mitochondrial electron transport chain, while only 5-10% of the maximum ROS production is caused by GSH depletion. Macromolecular synthesis inhibitors as well as Ac-YVAD-cmk, an interleukin 1beta-converting enzyme protease inhibitor, block the late burst of ROS production and protect HT22 cells from glutamate toxicity when added early in the death program. Inhibition of intracellular Ca2+ cycling and the influx of extracellular Ca2+ also blocks maximum ROS production and protects the cells. The conclusion is that GSH depletion is not sufficient to cause the maximal mitochondrial ROS production, and that there is an early requirement for protease activation, changes in gene expression, and a late requirement for Ca2+ mobilization. Show less

Double-stranded RNA adenosine deaminase (ADAR1) is an ubiquitous enzyme in metazoa that edits pre-mRNA changing adenosine to inosine in regions of double-stranded RNA. Zalpha, an N-terminal domain of human ADAR1 encompassing 76 amino acid residues, shows apparent specificity for the left-handed Z-DNA conformation adopted by alternating (dGdC) polymers modified by bromination or methylation, as well as for (dGdC)13 inserts present in supercoiled plasmids. Here, a combination of circular dichroism, fluorescence, and gel-retardation studies is utilized to characterize recombinant Zalpha peptide and to examine its interaction with DNA. Results from laser-Raman spectroscopy experiments provide direct evidence for the existence of Z-DNA in peptide-DNA complexes. Show less

Of the new generation platinum compounds that have been evaluated, those with the 1,2-diaminocyclohexane carrier ligand-including oxaliplatin--have been focused upon in recent years. Molecular biology studies and the National Cancer Institute in vitro cytotoxic screening showed that diaminocyclohexane platinums such as oxaliplatin belong to a distinct cytotoxic family, differing from cisplatin and carboplatin, with specific intracellular target(s), mechanism(s) of action and/or mechanism(s) of resistance. In phase I trials, the dose-limiting toxicity of oxaliplatin was characterized by transient acute dysesthesias and cumulative distal neurotoxicity, which was reversible within a few months after treatment discontinuation. Moreover, oxaliplatin did not display any, auditory, renal and hematologic dose-limiting toxicity at the recommended dose of 130 mg/m2 q three weeks or 85 mg/m2 q two weeks given as a two-hour i.v. infusion. Clinical phase II experiences on the antitumoral activity of oxaliplatin have been conducted in hundreds of patients with advanced colorectal cancers (ACRC). Single agent activity reported as objective response rate in ACRC patients is 10% and 20% overall in ACRC patients with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) pretreated/refractory and previously untreated ACRC, respectively. Synergistic cytotoxic effects in preclinical studies with thymidylate synthase inhibitors, cisplatin/carboplatin and topoisomerase I inhibitors, and the absence of hematologic dose-limiting toxicity have made oxaliplatin an attractive compound for combinations. Phase II trials combining oxaliplatin with 5-FU and folinic acid ACRC patients previously treated/refractory to 5-FU showed overall response rates ranging from 21% to 58%, and survivals ranging from 12 to 17 months. In patients with previously untreated ACRC, combinations of oxaliplatin with 5-FU and folinic acid showed response rates ranging from 34% to 67% and median survivals ranging from 15 to 19 months. Two randomized trials totaling 620 previously untreated patients with ACRC, comparing 5-FU and folinic acid to the same regimen with oxaliplatin, have shown a 34% overall response rate in the oxaliplatin group versus 12% in the 5-FU/folinic acid group for the first trial; and 51.2% vs. 22.6% in the second one. These statistically significant differences were confirmed in time to progression advantage for the oxaliplatin arm (8.7 vs. 6.1 months, and 8.7 vs. 6.1 months, respectively). A small but consistent number of histological complete responses have been reported in patients with advanced colorectal cancer treated with the combination of oxaliplatin with 5-FU/folinic acid, and secondary metastasectomy is increasingly done by oncologists familiar with the combination. Based on preclinical and clinical reports showing additive or synergistic effects between oxaliplatin and several anticancer drugs including cisplatin, irinotecan, topotecan, and paclitaxel, clinical trials of combinations with other compounds have been performed or are still ongoing in tumor types in which oxaliplatin alone showed antitumoral activity such as ovarian, non-small-cell lung, breast cancer and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Its single agent and combination therapy data in ovarian cancer confirm its non-cross resistance with cisplatin/carboplatin. While the role of oxaliplatin in medical oncology is yet to be fully defined, it appears to be an important new anticancer agent. Show less

The diaminocyclohexane platinum (Pt(DACH)) derivatives ormaplatin and oxaliplatin have caused severe and dose-limiting peripheral sensory neurotoxicity in a clinical trial. We hypothesized that this toxicity could vary in relation to the biotransformation and stereochemistry of these Pt(DACH) derivatives. We prepared pure R,R and S,S enantiomers of ormaplatin (Pt(DACH)Cl4), oxaliplatin (Pt(DACH)oxalato) and their metabolites (Pt(DACH)Cl2 and Pt(DACH)methionine) and assessed their peripheral sensory neurotoxicity and tissue distribution in the rat and in vitro anti-tumour activity in human ovarian carcinoma cell lines. The R,R enantiomers of Pt(DACH)Cl4, Pt(DACH)oxalato and Pt(DACH)Cl2, induced peripheral sensory neurotoxicity at significantly lower cumulative doses (18 +/- 5.7 vs 32 +/- 2.3 micromol kg(-1); P < 0.01) and at earlier times (4 +/- 1 vs 6.7 +/- 0.6 weeks; P = 0.016) during repeat-dose treatment than the S,S enantiomers. Pt(DACH)methionine enantiomers showed no biological activity. There was no difference between Pt(DACH) enantiomers in the platinum concentration in sciatic nerve, dorsal root ganglia, spinal cord, brain or blood at the end of each experiment. Three human ovarian carcinoma cell lines (41 M, 41 McisR and SKOV-3) showed no (or inconsistent) chiral discrimination in their sensitivity to Pt(DACH) enantiomers, whereas two cell lines (CH-1 and CH-1cisR) showed modest enantiomeric selectivity favouring the R,R isomer (more active). In conclusion, Pt(DACH) derivatives exhibit enantiomeric-selective peripheral sensory neurotoxicity during repeated dosing in rats favouring S,S isomers (less neurotoxic). They exhibited less chiral discrimination in their accumulation within peripheral nerves and in vitro anti-tumour activity. Show less

Iron-sulfur proteins are found in all life forms. Most frequently, they contain Fe2S2, Fe3S4, and Fe4S4 clusters. These modular clusters undergo oxidation-reduction reactions, may be inserted or removed from proteins, can influence protein structure by preferential side chain ligation, and can be interconverted. In addition to their electron transfer function, iron-sulfur clusters act as catalytic centers and sensors of iron and oxygen. Their most common oxidation states are paramagnetic and present significant challenges for understanding the magnetic properties of mixed valence systems. Iron-sulfur clusters now rank with such biological prosthetic groups as hemes and flavins in pervasive occurrence and multiplicity of function. Show less