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Attempted modulation of disulfide antitumor activity in Balb/c mice through glutathione depletion

R K Coshan-Gauthier1, D L Kirkpatrick

  • 1Department of Chemistry, University of Regina, Canada.

Experimental Cell Biology
|January 1, 1989
PubMed

Insights

Buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) depletion of glutathione (GSH) did not enhance the antitumor effects of disulfide derivatives of 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) and 6-thioguanine (6-TG) in mice. However, BSO combined with two doses of compound IV showed significantly increased antitumor activity.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Pharmacology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Glutathione (GSH) depletion using buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) is a strategy to potentially enhance cancer chemotherapy.
  • The antitumor activity of disulfide derivatives of 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) and 6-thioguanine (6-TG) has been investigated.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the impact of BSO-mediated GSH depletion on the antitumor efficacy of four disulfide derivatives of 6-TG and 6-MP in Balb/c mice.

Main Methods:

  • Mice were treated with BSO to deplete tumor GSH levels.
  • Disulfide compounds (I-IV) were administered with and without BSO pretreatment.
  • Tumor growth delays and growth rates were measured and compared between treatment groups.

Main Results:

  • BSO alone did not affect tumor growth.
  • Compounds II and III showed no enhanced antitumor activity with BSO.
  • Compound I showed modest antitumor effects, not enhanced by BSO.
  • Compound IV demonstrated significant antitumor activity, with enhanced efficacy when combined with BSO in a two-dose regimen.

Conclusions:

  • BSO-mediated GSH depletion does not universally enhance the antitumor activity of 6-MP and 6-TG disulfide derivatives.
  • Compound IV, particularly with a two-dose regimen and BSO pretreatment, shows promising synergistic antitumor effects.

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