In vitro activity of novel sulphonic derivatives of distamycin A.

The successful growth of tumors is dependent on the process of vascularization elicited by the tumor itself. As confirmed by many authors, there is a correlation between the presence of factors that stimulate tumor growth and angiogenesis. One of the approaches we have explored to control angiogenesis has been to synthesize compounds able to complex growth factors. A number of sulphonated derivatives of distamycin A were found active in inhibiting the binding of bFGF and PDGF beta on Swiss 3T3 cells with ID50 values ranging between 142-587 microM for bFGF and 28-79 microM for PDGF beta. The effect of these new derivatives in inhibiting angiogenesis was initially explored in the chorioallantoic membrane assay. It was observed that the selected compounds were active in this model system at the concentration of 350 nm/pellet. These new molecules present low or no cytotoxic activity on M5076 murine reticulosarcoma cells, the ID50 values being higher than 60 microM after 72 h continuous exposure in vitro.