Abstract

Newly synthesized quinoline derivatives were investigated for their efficacy to reverse multidrug resistance (MDR). In this study, one of the most effective quinoline derivatives, MS-073, was compared with verapamil with regard to its ability to overcome MDR in vitro and in vivo. MS-073 at 0.1 microM almost completely reversed in vitro resistance to vincristine (VCR) in VCR-resistant P388 cells. The compound also reversed in vitro VCR, adriamycin (ADM), etoposide, and actinomycin D resistance in ADM-resistant human myelogenous leukemia K562 (K562/ADM) cells, ADM-resistant human ovarian carcinoma A2780 cells, and colchicine-resistant human KB cells. MS-073 administered i.p. daily for 5 days with VCR enhanced the chemotherapeutic effect of VCR in VCR-resistant P388-bearing mice. Increases in life span of 19-50% were obtained by the combination of 100 micrograms/kg of VCR with 3-100 mg/kg of MS-073, as compared to the control. The ability of MS-073 to reverse MDR was remarkably higher, especially at low MS-073 doses, than that of verapamil, both in vitro and in vivo. MS-073 enhanced accumulation of [3H]VCR in K562/ADM cells. Photolabeling of P-glycoprotein with 200 nM [3H]azidopine in K562/ADM plasma membranes was completely inhibited by 10 microM MS-073, indicating that MS-073 reverses MDR by competitively inhibiting drug binding to P-glycoprotein.