The anti-neoplastic activity of 2,3-dihydrophthalazine-1,4-dione and N-butyl-2,3-dihydrophthalazine-1,4-dione in human and murine tumor cells.

2,3-Dihydrophthalazine-1,4-dione derivatives demonstrated potent cytotoxicity against the growth of murine leukemia cells and human single cell suspension, i.e. Tmolt3 leukemia and HeLa-S3, as well as colon adenocarcinoma and KB nasopharynx. However, only select compounds demonstrated activity against bronchogenic lung, osteosarcoma and glioma growth. 2,3-Dihydrophthalazine-1,4-dione was active in vivo against L1210 leukemia, Lewis lung and Ehrlich ascites carcinoma growth. In L1210 cells the agents inhibited both DNA and RNA synthesis, and a few of the compounds were capable of inhibiting protein synthesis at 3 times their ED50 values. When 2,3-dihydrophthalazine-1,4-dione and N-butyl-2,3-dihydrophthalazine-1,4-dione were examined for their mode of action in the L1210 lymphoid leukemia cells, the sites of inhibition by the agents appear to be the de novo purine pathway at the enzymes IMP dehydrogenase and PRPP amido transferase. IMP dehydrogenase activity was inhibited at least 45% by 45 min at 100 microM concentration of drugs whereas the remaining enzymes that were affected by the drugs were not inhibited as early. Secondary sites were dihydrofolate reductase and thymidylate synthetase. The d(NTP) levels were also reduced specifically dATP and dCTP levels.