Therapeutic analysis of melphalan-resistant human rhabdomyosarcoma xenograft TE-671 MR.

Investigations with the melphalan-resistant human rhabdomyosarcoma xenograft TE-671 MR were carried out to identify patterns of cross-resistance and collateral sensitivity and to define the mechanism(s) mediating melphalan resistance. TE-671 MR was cross-resistant to thio-TEPA, mitomycin, vincristine, and cisplatin, and partially resistant to chlorambucil and cyclophosphamide. TE-671 MR and the parent line TE-671 were both resistant to 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-nitrosourea and expressed similar levels of O6-alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase. TE-671 MR retained full sensitivity to actinomycin D and demonstrated enhanced sensitivity to VP-16 compared to TE-671. Treatment of TE-671 MR with melphalan plus VP-16 resulted in greater than additive growth delays. The frequency of hypoxic regions was similar in TE-671 MR and TE-671, respectively. Measurement of tumor-to-plasma levels at 180 min following i.p. administration of melphalan at 0.5 of the 10% lethal dosage showed mean tumor-to-plasma ratios of 3.81 in TE-671 MR and 7.38 in TE-671, respectively. The lower drug levels in TE-671 MR may be contributing to the resistance to melphalan and thus indicate the need for further studies to define the reasons for these differences in tumor drug level.

Duke Scholars

Author Darell Doty Bigner Neurosurgery

Author Mark Wesley Dewhirst Radiation Oncology

Author Daniel Todd Laskowitz Neurology, Neurocritical Care

Author Henry Seth Friedman Neurosurgery, Neuro-Oncology