Synthesis, antitumor activity, and DNA binding properties of a new derivative of amsacrine, N-5-dimethyl-9-[(2-methoxy-4-methylsulfonylamino) phenylamino]-4-acridinecarboxamide.

The 4-(N-methylcarboxamido)-5-methyl derivative of amsacrine (NSC 249 992) has been synthesized as part of a program aimed at optimizing solid tumor activity in this series. Physicochemical studies of this analogue (N-5-dimethyl-9-[(2-methoxy-4-methylsulfonylamino) phenylamino]-4-acridinecarboxamide; NSC 343 499) indicate a slightly increased lipophilicity (estimated log p = 1.10), a decreased acridine base strength (pKa 6.40), and a 16-fold-higher association constant for double-stranded calf thymus DNA (Ka 2.1 X 10(6) M-1 at 0.01 ionic strength). Like amsacrine, the drug binds to DNA by intercalation. Inhibition of cell growth has been monitored by continuous drug exposure assays with a variety of rodent and human cell lines. The concentration for 50% inhibition varied from 6.7 nM (T-47D, a human breast carcinoma line) to 800 nM (P388/ADR, a murine cell line resistant to Adriamycin). N-5-Dimethyl-9-[(2-methoxy-4-methylsulfonylamino) phenylamino]-4-acridinecarboxamide was cytotoxic at growth-inhibitory concentrations and also induced cell cycle arrest in the G2 phase. It was active against P388 leukemia following administration by p.o., i.v., or i.p. routes, and it was superior to amsacrine, daunorubicin, and Adriamycin. It was curative towards i.v.-injected Lewis lung tumor in a proportion of animals when treatment was started on Day 1 or Day 5 after tumor inoculation. It also produced highly significant life extensions against advanced tumors (treatment starting Day 9 after i.v. inoculation or on Day 8 after s.c. inoculation) and was comparable to cyclophosphamide in its effectiveness. It is a candidate drug for clinical trial.