MST-16, a derivative of bis(2,6-dioxopiperazine), is a newly developed anticancer agent that is potentially effective in combination with anthracyclines. It has a structural similarity to ICRF-187. The effects of MST-16 and its active form, ICRF-154, on the cytotoxic activities of six anthracyclines were investigated both in vitro and in vivo. Adriamycin (ADM), therarubicin (THP) and ME2303 (ME) showed synergistic cytotoxicity against colon 26 cells, when combined with MST-16. Epirubicin (EPI) and menogaril (TUT-7) and daunomycin (DM) all had a combination index of less than 1.0 only in the lower fraction affected range and, so there were probably no synergistic interactions between these drugs and MST-16. In colon 26 tumor-bearing mice, a significant delay in tumor growth was noted in the mice treated with ADM (7.5 mg/kg) and MST-16 (750 mg/kg) compared with mice given either drug alone. Similarly, tumor growth in mice treated with THP (10 mg/kg) or ME (10 mg/kg) with MST-16 (750 mg/kg) was significantly delayed. To elucidate the mechanism of synergy between these anthracyclines and MST-16, the concentration of anthracyclines in the treated cells was measured by flow cytometry. No increased intracellular accumulation of ADM. THP or ME was evident even when combined with MST-16. Cell cycle analysis revealed that MST-16 enhanced the accumulation of cells in G2M induced by ADM, THP and ME 1.6, 1.4, and 1.5 times, respectively. We thus conclude that the administration of ADM, THP and ME combined with MST-16 is synergistic and that the mechanism may not include an increase in the intracellular drug uptake but rather an increase in G2M accumulation.
