Inhibition of the growth of various human and mouse tumor cells by 1,15-bis(ethylamino)-4,8,12-triazapentadecane.

Effects of 1,15-bis(ethylamino)-4,8,12-triazapentadecane (BE3333), the least toxic bis(ethyl)pentaamine, on the growth of tumor cells were studied in in vitro systems and with tumor xenografts in mice. BE3333 suppressed ornithine decarboxylase and S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase, induced spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase, and thus decreased the amount of polyamines. BE3333 accumulated in cells at a concentration 3-5-fold that of spermine in control cells through the polyamine transport system. The accumulated BE3333 inhibited protein synthesis, especially mitochondrial protein synthesis, and decreased the amount of ATP. The inhibition of protein synthesis was correlated with the subsequent inhibition of cell growth. BE3333 showed inhibitory effects in in vitro systems against the growth of mouse FM3A mammary carcinoma cells, human SW480 and SW620 colon tumor cells, Lu-65A and A549 lung tumor cells, MCF-7 breast tumor cells, and MALME-3M and A375 melanoma cells at a range of 0.5-10 microM. Intravenous (30 mg/kg) or i.p. (50 mg/kg) daily injections of BE3333 for 5 or 7 days greatly suppressed the growth of human colon tumor SW620 xenotransplanted into nude mice. Similar antitumor activity was obtained with continuous infusion of BE3333 into the peritoneal cavity (80 mg/kg), but not with p.o. administration (200 mg/kg). BE3333 also showed inhibitory effects against the growth of lung tumors (Lu-65, Lx-1, Lc-1, and Lu-61), stomach tumors (Sc-6 and St-15), and melanoma (SEKI) xenotransplanted into nude mice. The results indicate that BE3333 is effective against both rapid- and slow-growing tumors, with reasonable short-term host toxicity.