Two polyamine analogs (BE-4-4-4 and BE-4-4-4-4) directly affect growth, survival, and cell cycle progression in two human brain tumor cell lines.

1,14-Bis-(ethyl)-amino-5,10-diazatetradecane N1,N11-bis(ethyl)norspermine (BE-4-4-4) and 1,19-bis-(ethylamino)-5,10,15 triazanonadecane (BE-4-4-4-4) are two relatively new polyamine analogs synthesized for use as antineoplastic agents. In human brain tumor cell lines U-251 MG and SF-767, both agents inhibited cell growth, were cytotoxic, induced a variable G1/S block, and depleted intracellular polyamines. Since intracellular polyamine depletion did not always correlate with growth inhibition, cell survival, or cell cycle progression, it cannot completely explain the effects of these agents on growth, survival, and cell cycle progression in U-251 MG and SF-767 cells.