Pharmacology of EAPB0203, a novel imidazo[1,2- a]quinoxaline derivative with anti-tumoral activity on melanoma

• Published in: European journal of pharmaceutical sciences 2010-01, Vol.39 (1), p.23-29
• Main Authors: Khier, Sonia, Deleuze-Masquéfa, Carine, Moarbess, Georges, Gattacceca, Florence, Margout, Delphine, Solassol, Isabelle, Cooper, Jean-François, Pinguet, Frédéric, Bonnet, Pierre-Antoine, Bressolle, Françoise M.M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aminoquinolines - pharmacology; Animals; Antineoplastic Agents - pharmacokinetics; Antineoplastic Agents - pharmacology; Biological and medical sciences; Cell Line, Tumor; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; General pharmacology; Humans; Imidazo[1,2- a]quinoxaline; Imidazoles - pharmacokinetics; In vitro and in vivo cytotoxic activities; Injections, Intraperitoneal; Injections, Intravenous; LC/ESI–MS; Life Sciences; Male; Medical sciences; Melanoma; Melanoma - drug therapy; Mice; Mice, Nude; Nitrosourea Compounds - pharmacology; Organophosphorus Compounds - pharmacology; Pharmaceutical sciences; Pharmaceutical technology. Pharmaceutical industry; Pharmacokinetics; Pharmacology; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Quinoxalines - administration & dosage; Quinoxalines - pharmacokinetics; Quinoxalines - pharmacology; Rats; Skin Neoplasms - drug therapy; Sub-acute toxicity; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
• ISSN: 0928-0987; 1879-0720
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2009.10.006

In spite of the development of new anticancer drugs by the pharmaceutical industry, melanoma and T lymphomas are diseases for which medical advances remain limited. Thus, there was an urgent need of new therapeutics with an original mechanism of action. Since several years, our group develops quinoxalinic compounds. In this paper, the first preclinical results concerning one lead compound, EAPB0203, are presented. This compound exhibits in vitro cytotoxic activity on A375 and M4Be human melanoma cell lines superior to that of imiquimod and fotemustine. A liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry method was first validated to simultaneously quantify EAPB0203 and its metabolite, EAPB0202, in rat plasma. Thereafter, the pharmacokinetic profiles of EAPB0203 were studied in rat after intravenous and intraperitoneal administrations. After intraperitoneal administration the absolute bioavailability remains limited (22.7%). In xenografted mouse, after intraperitoneal administration of 5 and 20 mg/kg, EAPB0203 is more potent than fotemustine. The survival time was increased up to 4 and 2 weeks compared to control mice and mice treated by fotemustine, respectively. The results of this study demonstrate the relationship between the dose of EAPB0203 and its effects on tumor growth. Thus, promising efficacy, tolerance and pharmacokinetic data of EAPB0203 encourage the development towards patient benefit.