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A new potent radiosensitizer: 1-(2',3'-dideoxy-. cap alpha. -D-erythro-hex-2'-enopyranosyl)-2-nitroimidazole (RA-263)

Journal Article · · Int. J. Radiat. Oncol., Biol. Phys.; (United States)
 [1]; ;
  1. Tulane Univ. School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA

Among a series of 2-nitroimidazole nucleosides synthesized, 1-(2', 3'-dideoxy-..cap alpha..-D-erythro-hex-2'-enopyranosyl)-2-nitroimidazole (RA-263) was found to be one of the most effective radiosenitizers. Exponentially growing asynchronous Chinese hamster (V-79) cells were employed for in vitro toxicity tests and radiation survival curves. Although RA-263 was nontoxic to the oxic V-79 cells at a concentration of 1 mM up to 4 hr exposure, cell growth was completely inhibited of the hypoxic cells under these conditions. The ..beta..-isomer of RA-263 was comparatively less cytotoxic to the hypoxic cells since 43% cells survived under similar conditions. RA-263 produced an enhancement ratio (ER) of 2.0 at 0.5 mM, higher concentrations markedly suppressed the shoulder region of the radiation cell survival curve and produced a significant increase in radiosensitization. The acute LD/sub 50/ of RA-263 in CDF/sub 1/ mice was found to be 3.3 g/kg, indicating that RA-263 is approximately 2.5 times less toxic than misonidazole. Pharmacokinetic studies in C57 mice bearing B16 melanoma produced a favorable tumor/plasma ratio of 0.88 and brain/plasma ratio of 0.16 after 30 min at the dose level of 1 mg/g administered intraperitoneally. In vivo radiosensitization studies in BALB/c mice bearing EMT6 mammary tumor indicate that RA-263 is as effective a sensitizer as misonidazole at an equivalent dose of 1 mg/g. Increasing the dose of RA-263 to 2 mg/g caused a significant increase in radiosensitization. These data suggest that RA-263 may be superior to misonidazole as a radiosensitizer for potential clinical use.

OSTI ID:
6715141
Journal Information:
Int. J. Radiat. Oncol., Biol. Phys.; (United States), Journal Name: Int. J. Radiat. Oncol., Biol. Phys.; (United States) Vol. 8:3/4; ISSN IOBPD
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English