Activity of a novel 4-quinolinecarboxylic acid, NSC 368390 [6-fluoro-2-(2'-fluoro-1,1'-biphenyl-4-yl)-3-methyl-4-quinolinecarboxylic acid sodium salt], against experimental tumors

A novel, substituted 4-quinolinecarboxylic acid (NSC 339768) demonstrated antitumor activity against L1210 leukemia and B16 melanoma in the National Cancer Institute's Developmental Therapeutics Program. An extensive analogue synthesis program was initiated; over 200 derivatives were synthesized and tested for anticancer activity. One of these compounds, 6-fluoro-2-(2'-fluoro-1,1'-biphenyl-4-yl)-3-methyl-4-quinolinecarboxylic acid sodium salt, NSC 368390 (DuP-785), was selected for further investigation because of its efficacy against a spectrum of human solid tumors and its water solubility. In initial studies with L1210 leukemia, the compound caused an increase in life span of greater than 80%. The activity was schedule dependent, and the compound was equally efficacious when administered i.p., i.v., s.c., or p.o. In tests against human tumors xenografted under the renal capsule of nude mice, NSC 368390 when injected i.p. in doses of 20-40 mg/kg daily for 9 days inhibited the growth of the MX-1 breast, LX-1 lung, BL/STX-1 stomach, and CX-1 colon carcinomas by greater than 90%. NSC 368390 also inhibited the growth of three distinct human colon carcinomas, the HCT-15, clone A, and DLD-2 tumors, growing s.c. in nude mice. An i.p. dose of 25 mg/kg given daily for 9 days inhibited the growth of the DLD-2 colon cancer by 98%. 1-beta-D-Arabinofuranosylcytosine and Adriamycin were ineffective, and fluorouracil was only moderately effective against these colon tumors. Because of its good activity against human colon tumors and other human carcinomas and its water solubility, NSC 368390 (DuP-785) is being developed as a Phase 1 anticancer agent.