This study was undertaken to establish the presence and characteristics of receptors for [D-Trp6]LH-RH on the membranes of human ovarian cancer. Specific binding of [125I, D-Trp6]LH-RH was found in 29 of 37 (78.4%) ovarian cancers and in 6 of 11 (54.5%) non-malignant human ovaries. Ligand binding was dependent on time and plasma membrane concentration in a fashion expected of a peptide hormone. Saturation, kinetic and displacement data were consistent with the presence of a highly specific, single class of non-cooperative binding site. On the basis of receptors affinity, LH-RH-receptor-positive ovarian cancers could be divided into two groups: high affinity group (Kd=2.71 +/- 0.60 nM; Bmax=0.46 +/- 0.07 pmol/mg membrane protein) comprising 55% of tumors, and low affinity group (Kd=78.0 +/- 19.6 nM; Bmax=9.44 +/- 2.68 pmol/mg membrane protein) which included 45% of tumors. LH-RH antagonist Cetrorelix showed an affinity to LH-RH receptors on ovarian cancers 14 times higher than the agonist [D-Trp6]LH-RH. Using 125I-epidermal growth factor, specific high affinity receptors were also detected in membranes from 13 of 24 (54%) ovarian cancers and 5 of 11 (45%) non-malignant ovaries. The demonstration of LH-RH receptors in human ovarian cancers provides a rationale for the use of therapeutic approaches based on LH-RH analogues in this malignancy. The probable involvement of growth factors in the development of ovarian cancers suggests the merit of trying a combined therapy based on analogs of LH-RH and somatostatin for this carcinoma.

Enhanced endogenous serotonergic activity, stimulated by L-tryptophan (TRYPT) loading, was found to have a substantial impact on neurochemical and behavioral aspects of the circadian response to light in the male Syrian hamster. An intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of 150 mg/kg TRYPT significantly stimulated serotonin (5-HT) release in the suprachiasmatic nuclear (SCN) region, as reflected by a 205 ± 30% maximal increase in the extracellular concentration of 5-HT assessed using microdialysis. Administration of TRYPT 1 h before exposure to a light pulse (30 min, 40 lux) delivered during late subjective night dose-dependently suppressed the number of SCN cells expressing light-induced Fos-like immunoreactivity (Fos-LI; maximal suppression @200 mg/kg was 77 ± 4%, p < 0.001). This action of TRYPT was attenuated by pretreatment with the 5-HT1a antagonist, NAN-190, and was abolished by the 5-HT2/5-HT7 antagonist, ritanserin, or the nonselective 5-HT antagonist, metergoline (all 10 mg/kg). These antagonists alone had no effect on light-induced Fos. In a second experiment, pretreatment of free-running hamsters housed under constant darkness with 150 mg/kg TRYPT 45-60 min prior to light exposure (10 min, 20 lux) during late subjective night (CT 19) significantly attenuated the light-induced phase advances of the circadian activity rhythm (66 ± 7 min vs. 100 ± 6 min for vehicle controls; p < 0.001). The same dose of TRYPT given 1 h before lights-on for 5 consecutive days in hamsters maintained under 14L:10D altered the phase angle of entrainment such that activity onsets were delayed by 36 ± 8 min relative to controls (p < 0.05). The same dose of TRYPT administered during late subjective night also suppressed the extracellular concentration of glutamate in the SCN region assessed using microdialysis (55 ± 8% suppression; p < 0.05 vs. baseline). These results support the hypothesis that the ascending serotonergic projection to the SCN modulates photic entrainment processes within the circadian oscillator.

Five hexapeptide and heptapeptide analogs of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) were synthesized for use as carriers for cytotoxic compounds. These short analogs were expected to enhance target selectivity of the antineoplastic agents linked to them. Native LH-RH-(3-9) and LH-RH-(4-9) containing D-lysine and D-ornithine at position 6 were amidated with ethylamine and acylated on the N terminus. The receptor-binding affinity of one hexapeptide carrier AJ-41 (Ac-Ser-Tyr-D-Lys-Leu-Arg-Pro-NH-Et) to human breast cancer cell membranes was similar to that of [D-Trp6]LH-RH. Alkylating nitrogen mustards (melphalan, Ac-melphalan), anthraquinone derivatives including anticancer antibiotic doxorubicin, antimetabolite (methotrexate), and cisplatin-like platinum complex were linked to these peptides through their omega-amino group at position 6. The hybrid molecules showed no LH-RH agonistic activity in vitro and in vivo but had nontypical antagonistic effects on pituitary cells in vitro at the doses tested. These analogs showed a wide range of receptor-binding affinities to rat pituitaries and cell membranes of human breast cancer and rat Dunning prostate cancer. Several of these conjugates exerted some cytotoxic effects on MCF-7 breast cancer cell line.

In an attempt to produce better cytotoxic analogues, chemotherapeutic antineoplastic radicals including an alkylating nitrogen mustard derivative of D-phenylalanine (D-melphalan), reactive cyclopropane, anthraquinone derivatives [2-(hydroxymethyl)anthraquinone and the anticancer antibiotic doxorubicin], and an antimetabolite (methotrexate) were coupled to suitably modified agonists and antagonists of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH). Analogues with D-lysine6 and D-ornithine6 or N epsilon-(2,3-diaminopropionyl)-D-lysine and N delta-(2,3-diaminopropionyl)-D-ornithine were used as carriers for one or two cytotoxic moieties. The enhanced biological activities produced by the incorporation of D amino acids into position 6 of the agonistic analogues were further increased by the attachment of hydrophobic cytotoxic groups, resulting in compounds with 10-50 times higher activity than LH-RH. Most of the monosubstituted agonistic analogues showed high affinities for the membrane receptors of human breast cancer cells, while the receptor binding affinities of peptides containing two cytotoxic side chains were lower. Antagonistic carriers [Ac-D-Nal(2)1,D-Phe(4Cl)2,D-Trp3,Arg5,D-Lys6,D-Ala10] LH-RH [where Nal(2) is 3-(2-naphthyl)alanine], [Ac-D-Nal(2)1,D-Phe(4Cl)2,D-Trp3,Arg5,N epsilon-(2,3-diaminopropionyl)-D-Lys6,D-Ala10]LH-RH, and their D-Pal(3)3 homologs [Pal(3) is 3-(3-pyridyl)alanine] as well as [Ac-D-Nal(2)1,D-Phe(4Cl)2,D-Pal(3)3,Tyr5,N epsilon-(2,3-diamino-propionyl)-D-Lys6,D-Ala10]LH-RH were linked to cytotoxic compounds. The hybrid molecules inhibited ovulation in rats at doses of 10 micrograms and suppressed LH release in vitro. The receptor binding of cytotoxic analogues was decreased compared to the precursor peptides, although analogues with 2-(hydroxymethyl)anthraquinone hemiglutarate had high affinities. All of the cytotoxic analogues tested inhibited [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA in cultures of human breast and prostate cancer cell lines. Some cytotoxic analogues also significantly suppressed the growth of mammary and prostate cancers in vivo in animal models.

Previous work showed that hamster and human pancreatic tumors but not normal pancreata exhibit low-affinity cell-membrane receptors for luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH). Although the regression of experimental pancreatic cancers induced by treatment with LHRH agonists or antagonists could be explained in part by the creation of sex-steroid deficiency, direct effects mediated by LHRH receptors might also play a role. Here, we demonstrate that pancreatic tumor cells do exhibit high-affinity binding sites for LHRH, but only in their nuclei; low-affinity sites are associated with the cell membranes. These binding sites appear to be LHRH receptors since electron microscopic immunohistochemical studies show that an antibody to the LHRH receptor reacted with sites in the nucleus of pancreatic tumor cells. Immunoreactive sites in the nucleus also were found in a restricted set of normal hamster pituitary cells thought to be luteinizing hormone-secreting cells and in MXT mouse mammary tumor cells. Such nuclear receptors may be involved in the transmission of the direct action of LHRH analogues on the tumor cells, resulting in the enhancement of programmed cell death.

Membrane receptors for LHRH were evaluated in Dunning R3327 prostate cancers and rat anterior pituitaries. The receptors were characterized both in untreated animals and after in vivo treatment with microcapsules of the agonist D-Trp6-LHRH and a sustained delivery system releasing different doses (23.8, 47.6, 71.4 micrograms/day) of LHRH antagonist [Ac-D-Nal(2)1-D-Phe(4Cl)2-D-Pal(3)3,D-Cit6, D-Ala10]-LHRH (SB-75). The therapy, which lasted 8 weeks, strongly inhibited tumor growth. A group of normal Sprague-Dawley male rats was also treated for 6 weeks with microcapsules of SB-75 releasing 25 micrograms/day. In the Dunning tumors from the control group, ligand [125I, D-Trp6]-LHRH was bound to two classes of binding sites [dissociation constant, class a (Kda) = 1.01 +/- 0.30 x 10(-9) M; Kdb = 1.71 +/- 0.41 x 10(-6) M; maximal binding capacity of receptors, class a (Bmaxa) = 48.66 +/- 22.13 fmol/mg of protein; Bmaxb = 92.10 +/- 29.40 pmol/mg of protein] in both kinetic and equilibrium studies. Treatment with D-Trp6-LHRH produced down-regulation of membrane receptors for LHRH in Dunning tumors. Microcapsules of SB-75 resulted in dose-dependent up-regulation of binding sites for LHRH in Dunning tumors. Analysis of the binding data showed that interaction of labeled D-Trp6-LHRH with binding sites in anterior pituitaries was consistent with the presence of a single class of noncooperative receptors (Kd = 43.75 x 10(-9) M; Bmax = 5.25 pmol/mg membrane proteins). Prolonged treatment with microcapsules of D-Trp6-LHRH reduced both Bmax and Kd. Lower doses of SB-75 (23.8 and 47.6 micrograms/day) produced up-regulation, whereas the highest dose (71.4 micrograms/day) resulted in down-regulation of binding sites for LHRH in rat pituitaries. In normal Sprague-Dawley rats, treatment with microcapsules of SB-75 (25 micrograms/day) for 6 weeks produced a slight increase in the number of available binding sites (Bmax = 2.35 +/- 0.82 pmol/mg membrane protein) and a moderate decrease in affinity (Kd = 35.10 +/- 15.19 x 10(-9) M) of pituitary membrane receptors for LHRH. The findings provide additional support for the view that LHRH analogs exert direct effects on tumor cells. Our findings indicate that prolonged treatment with high doses of modern LHRH antagonists produces down-regulation of pituitary receptors. Our work in tumors also implies that some differences may exist between LHRH receptors, even in the same tissue, leading to the concept of subclassification of LHRH receptors.

Groups of 15 female Syrian golden hamsters with N-nitrosobis(2-oxopropyl)amine-induced pancreatic cancers were treated for 2 mo with microcapsules of the luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) antagonist [Ac-D-Nal(2)1-D-Phe(4Cl)2-D-Pal(3)3,D-Cit6,D-Ala10] LH-RH (SB-75) releasing 8 micrograms/day or with the microcapsules of the LH-RH agonist D-tryptophan-6-luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (D-Trp-6-LH-RH) releasing 8 micrograms/day or 25 micrograms/day. Chronic treatment with SB-75 resulted in 70% inhibition of pancreatic tumor weight; D-Trp-6-LH-RH in doses of 8 micrograms/day and 25 micrograms/day produced 66% and 62% inhibition, respectively. The number of animals with pancreatic tumors was reduced by about 50% in each treated group. Tumorous ascites were found in seven control hamsters and in one hamster in each group treated with D-Trp-6-LH-RH but not in the group given SB-75. Reduction in serum luteinizing hormone levels and ovarian as well as uterine weights indicated that an inhibition of the pituitary-gonadal axis occurred during chronic SB-75 and D-Trp-6-LH-RH treatment. Membrane receptor assays showed a significant decrease of the concentration of binding sites for LH-RH in tumor cells after SB-75 or D-Trp-6-LH-RH treatment. Insulin-like growth factor I receptors, but not epidermal growth factor receptors, were down-regulated by D-Trp-6-LH-RH. SB-75 did not influence the concentration or the binding capacity of insulin-like growth factor I and epidermal growth factor receptors in the tumor cells. The inhibitory effect of chronic treatment with SB-75 and D-Trp-6-LH-RH on tumor growth was mediated by enhanced apoptosis (programmed cell death) induced by the change in hormonal environment. Apoptosis was also produced in hamsters with N-nitrosobis(2-oxopropyl)amine-induced pancreatic cancers by acute treatment (3 to 6 days) with high doses of D-Trp-6-LH-RH or SB-75. In view of its potency and an immediate powerful inhibitory effect, the LH-RH antagonist SB-75 might be considered as a possible new hormonal agent for the treatment of exocrine pancreatic cancer.

Syrian golden hamsters bearing N‐nitrosobis(2‐oxopropyl)amine (BOP)‐induced pancreatic carcinomas were treated for 2 months with the delayed delivery systems of the agonist D‐Trp‐6‐LH‐RH (microcapsules releasing 25 μg/day for 30 days), the somatostatin analog RC‐160 (the microcapsules liberating 48.2 μg/day for 30 days), or with the combination of these two analogues. The increase in the dose of RC‐160 was possible in view of the lack of toxicity of this analog. This higher dose of RC‐160 exerted a greater suppressive effect on pancreatic cancers than the regimens previously used (5‐25 μg/day). RC‐160, D‐Trp‐6‐LH‐RH, and their combination reduced the number of pancreatic carcinomas and significantly inhibited tumor growth as compared with the controls. The combination had the strongest tumor‐inhibitory effect and reduced tumor weight by 85% as compared with controls. Both the light and electron microscopic analysis of the tumors showed that the inhibitory effect was due to the enhancement of apoptosis (programmed cell death) of tumor cells. Insulin‐like growth factor (IGF‐I) receptors were detected immunohistochemically in the untreated tumors and their number decreased after the treatment with the analogues. Binding of D‐Trp‐6‐LH‐RH and RC‐160 to tumor cells was shown immunohistochemically and receptors to these analogues and IGF‐I were also determined biochemically by radioligand titration. Treatment with D‐Trp‐6‐LH‐RH and RC‐160 decreased the binding capacity of receptors for D‐Trp‐6‐LH‐RH and IGF‐I, producing down‐regulation of these receptors. This suggests that pancreatic tumor cells with receptors to these peptides are sensitive to the treatment. This work reinforces the view that the combination of high doses of somatostatin analog RC‐160 with LH‐RH agonists or antagonists should be considered for the development of a new hormonal therapy for ductal pancreatic cancers.

The binding characteristics of several somatostatin (SS-14) analogs developed in our laboratory were examined in various human and animal tumors and normal tissues. In rat cerebral cortex and human breast cancer membranes the interaction of SS-14 with its binding sites was rapid, specific, saturable, linear with protein concentrations, and dependent on time and temperature. Analysis of kinetic and equilibrium experimental data showed that the interaction of [125I-Tyr11]SS-14 with the binding sites in all normal and tumoral tissue specimens was consistent with the presence of a single class of noncooperative binding sites. Superactive octapeptide analogs of somatostatin-containing hexapeptide sequences Cys-Phe-D-Trp-Lys-Thr-Cys or Cys-Tyr-D-Trp-Lys-Val-Cys showed significant binding affinities to SS-14 receptors. Among these analogs, D-Trp-Cys-Phe-D-Trp-Lys-Thr-Cys-Thr-NH2 (RC-98-I) showed the highest binding affinity to normal human pancreatic tissue and human pancreatic adenocarcinoma. In contrast, Sandostatin (SMS 201-995) bound only to normal pancreas, not to human pancreatic cancers. Analog RC-98-I also showed a high binding to human and rat prostate cancers. In human epithelial ovarian cancers and an arrhenoblastoma, analogs D-Phe-Cys-Phe-D-Trp-Lys-Thr-Cys-Trp-NH2 (RC-95-I), D-Phe-Cys-Tyr-D-Trp-Lys-Val-Cys-Thr-NH2 (RC-121) and D-Phe-Cys-Tyr-D-Trp-Lys-Val-Cys-Trp-NH2 (RC-160) appeared to be the most potent in displacing labeled SS-14. Analogs Ac-Phe-Cys-Phe-D-Trp-Lys-Thr-Cys-Thr-NH2 (RC-101-I) as well as RC-121, RC-160, and RC-95-I, but not SMS-201-995, showed high binding affinity in human breast cancers. In specimens of human meningioma the highest binding was found with analogs RC-121, RC-95-I, and RC-101-I. Since marked variations in binding affinities were noted for several analogs in the tissues of origin and the tumors, this suggest that differences may exist between somatostatin receptors not only in normal vs. cancerous tissues, but also among various tumors. Our findings also imply that some analogs could be therapeutically superior to others in the treatment of certain tumors.

Abstract Membrane receptors for d-Trp6-luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (d-Trp6-LH-RH), somatostatin-14 (SS-14), and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) were estimated in MXT mammary cancers of mice using sensitive multipoint micromethods. The receptors were characterized in untreated animals and following in vivo treatment with microcapsules of the agonist d-Trp6-LH-RH and the somatostatin analog RC-160, which strongly inhibited tumor growth. In the control group, d-Trp6-LH-RH was bound to the single class of saturable, specific, noncooperative receptor sites (Kd , = 29.3 ± 8.48 × 10-9 M; Bmax = 4.55 ± 0.31 pmol/mg membrane protein). Treatment with d-Trp6-LH-RH alone or in combination with RC-160 produced down-regulation of membrane receptors for d-Trp6-LH-RH on MXT mammary tumor cells. RC-160 alone and ovariectomy were without effect on d-Trp6-LH-RH receptors. On the membrane surface of MXT mammary cells, we found one class of high affinity, specific, saturable binding sites for SS-14 (Kd = 4.4 ± 1.9 × 10-9 M; Bmax = 0.58 ± 0.21 pmol/mg membrane protein). Treatment with RC-160 alone or combined with d-Trp6-LH-RH significantly increased both the dissociation binding constant (K d = 18.6 ± 3.5 × 10-9 and 10.1 ± 0.7 × 10-9 M, respectively) and the binding capacity (Bmax = 13.98 ± 1.7 and 21.00 ± 4.0 pmol/mg membrane protein, respectively). We also found specific binding sites (K d = 3.01 ± 0.15 × 10-9 M; Bmax = 2.24 ± 0.96 pmol/mg membrane protein) for IGF-I in the membrane fractions of MXT mammary cancers. Chronic treatment with d-Trp6-LH-RH and RC-160 alone or in combination, as well as ovariectomy, significantly decreased the dissociation binding constant of IGF-I membrane receptors on MXT mammary cells. Our results strongly suggest an important role of LH-RH, SS-14, and IGF-I in the growth of MXT mammary carcinoma. Changes in characteristics of receptors after treatment with analogs of LH-RH and SS-14 along with tumor growth inhibition provide additional support for the direct effect of these peptides on tumor cells. A possible significance of these findings as applied to a clinical environment is discussed.