1. ¹Xenova Ltd, 957 Buckingham Avenue, Slough, Berkshire SL1 4NL, UK
2. ²Millennium Pharmaceuticals Inc., 40 Landsdowne Street, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA

Correspondence: Dr SM Harris, E-mail: sue.harris@slh.celltechgroup.com

Revised 9 December 2004; Accepted 17 December 2004; Published online 8 February 2005.

Abstract

XR5944 (MLN944), a novel bis-phenazine, has demonstrated potent cytotoxic activity against a variety of murine and human tumour models. In the present study, the antitumour activity of XR5944 was investigated in combination with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) or irinotecan in human colon carcinoma cell lines and xenografts. In vitro cytotoxicity of the combinations following exposure to the drugs sequentially or simultaneously was evaluated by the sulphorhodamine-B assay and interactions were determined using median-effect analysis. Antagonism was observed (CI>1) following exposure of HT29 cells simultaneously to XR5944 and 5-FU or SN38 (active metabolite of irinotecan). In contrast, sequential exposure of either combination in either order demonstrated at least an additive response (CI1). At least an additive response was also observed with these combinations in HCT116 cells regardless of schedule. Antitumour activity in HT29 xenografts in nude mice was enhanced by sequential administration of 5-FU (65 mg kg^-1) or irinotecan (CPT-11) (35 mg kg^-1) 48 h before XR5944 (5, 10, or 15 mg kg^-1) compared to single agent treatment at the same or higher doses. Administration of irinotecan (35 mg kg^-1) and XR5944 (15 mg kg^-1) just 30 min apart yielded similar efficacy to sequential administration 48 h apart. All combinations were well tolerated. These data suggest that combinations of XR5944 with irinotecan or 5-FU are of significant interest in the treatment of colon cancer.