Preclinical pharmacology and antitumour activity of the novel sequence-selective DNA minor-groove cross-linking agent DSB-120.

We examined the in vitro cytotoxicity, antitumour activity and preclinical pharmacokinetics of the novel sequence-selective, bifunctional alkylating agent DSB-120, a synthetic pyrrolo[1,4][2,1-c]benzodiazepine dimer. DSB-120 was shown to be a potent cytotoxic agent in vitro against a panel of human colon carcinomas [50% growth-inhibitory concentration (IC50) 42 +/- 7.9 nM, mean +/- SE, n = 7] and two rodent tumours (L1210 and ADJ/PC6). Antitumour activity was assessed in the bifunctional alkylating-agent-sensitive murine plasmacytoma ADJ/PC6 using a variety of administration protocols. The maximal antitumour effects were observed following a single i.v. dose but the therapeutic index was only 2.6. DSB-120 was less effective when given i.p. either singly or by a daily x 5 schedule. After a single i.v. dose at the maximum tolerated dose (MTD, 5 mgkg-1) the plasma elimination was biphasic, with a short distribution phase (t1/2 alpha 4 min) being followed by a longer elimination phase (t1/2 beta 38 min). Peak plasma concentrations were 25 micrograms ml-1, the clearance was 1.3 ml g-1 h-1 and the AUC0-infinity was 230 micrograms ml-1 min. Concentrations of DSB-120 in ADJ/PC6 tumours were very low, showing a peak of 0.4 micrograms g-1 at 5 min. The steady-state tumour/plasma ratio was about 5% and the AUC was only 2.5% of that occurring in the plasma. DSB-120 appeared to be unstable in vivo, with only 1% of an administered dose being recovered unchanged in 24-h urine samples. Plasma protein binding was extensive at 96.6%. In conclusion, the poor antitumour activity of DSB-120 may be a consequence of low tumour selectivity and drug uptake as a result of high protein binding and/or extensive drug metabolism in vivo.