The novel dual topoisomerase inhibitor P8-D6 shows anti-myeloma activity in vitro and in vivo

P8-D6 is a novel dual inhibitor of human topoisomerase I (TOP1) and II (TOP2) with broad pro-apoptotic anti-tumor activity. NCI-60 screening revealed markedly improved cytotoxicity of P8-D6 against solid and leukemia cell lines compared to other single and dual topoisomerase inhibitors, e.g. irinotecan, doxorubicin or pyrazoloacridine. In this study, we investigated the capacity of P8-D6 to inhibit myeloma cell growth in vitro and in vivo. Growth inhibition assays demonstrated significant anti-myeloma effects against different myeloma cell lines with IC50 values in the low nanomolar range. Freshly isolated plasma cells of patients with multiple myeloma were killed by P8-D6 with similar doses. P8-D6 activated caspase 3/7 and induced significant apoptosis of myeloma cells. Supportive effects of bone marrow stromal cells on IL-6-dependent INA-6 myeloma cells were abrogated by P8-D6 and apoptosis occurred in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Of note, healthy donor peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and human endothelial cells (HUVEC) were not affected at concentrations toxic for malignant plasma cells. Treatment of myeloma xenografts in immunodeficient SCID/beige mice by intravenous and, notably, also oral application of P8-D6 markedly inhibited tumor growths, and significantly prolonged survival of tumor-bearing mice.