dextromethorphan and Brain-Neoplasms

Dextromethorphan (DM) is O-demethylated into dextrorphan (DEX) in humans by the cytochrome P450 designated as CYP2D6 and N-demethylated into 3-methoxymorphinan (3MM) via CYP3As. Clinically, DM has been successfully used as an index of CYP2D6 and this paper describes analytical and clinical data that will help evaluate the use of DM hydrobromide as a probe of CYP3A activity. DM and its three demethylated metabolites were measured in a 4-h spot urine sample using a HPLC method employing solid-phase extraction (C(18)), analysis on a phenyl column [mobile phase, methanol-acetonitrile-phosphate buffer (10 mM, pH 3.5, 20:25:55, v/v)] and fluorescence detection (excitation at lambda=228 nm, no emission cut-off filter). The urinary molar ratio DM-DEX was used to assess CYP2D6 activity while DM-3MM was used for CYP3As. The DM-3MM ratios were sensitive to the co-administration of selective CYP3A inhibitors grapefruit juice and erythromycin. In addition, in healthy volunteers and cancer patients, the N-demethylation of DM correlated with the CYP3A-mediated metabolism of verapamil and tamoxifen. DM appears to be a promising way to simultaneously phenotype patients for CYP2D6 and CYP3As.

Topics: Adult; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; Aryl Hydrocarbon Hydroxylases; Brain Neoplasms; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Cytochrome P-450 CYP2D6; Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A; Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System; Dextromethorphan; Female; Glioma; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Molecular Probes; Oxidoreductases, N-Demethylating; Phenotype; Reproducibility of Results; Spectrometry, Fluorescence; Tamoxifen; Verapamil

Glioblastoma multiforme is the most common malignant primary brain tumor in adults. Despite new treatments developed including immunomodulation using vaccines and cell therapies, mortality remains high due to the resistance mechanisms presented by these tumor cells and the function of the blood-brain barrier that prevents the entry of most drugs. In this context of searching for new glioblastoma therapies, the study of the existing drugs to treat neurological disorder is gaining great relevance. The aim of this study was to determine, through a preliminary in vitro study on human glioblastoma (A172, LN229), anaplastic glioma (SF268) and neuroblastoma (SK-N-SH) cell lines, the possible antitumor activity of the active principles of several drugs (levomepromazine, haloperidol, lacosamide, valproic acid, levetiracetam, glatiramer acetate, fingolimod, biperiden and dextromethorphan) with the ability to cross the blood-brain barrier and that are commonly used in neurological disorders. Results showed that levetiracetam, valproic acid, and haloperidol were able to induce a relevant synergistic antitumor effect when associated with the chemotherapy currently used in clinic (temozolomide). Regarding the mechanism of action, haloperidol, valproic acid and levomepromazine caused cell death by apoptosis, while biperiden and dextromethorphan induced autophagy. Fingolimod appeared to have anoikis-related cell death. Thus, the assayed drugs which are able to cross the blood-brain barrier could represent a possibility to improve the treatment of neural tumors, though future in vivo studies and clinical trials will be necessary to validate it.

Topics: Adult; Apoptosis; Biperiden; Brain Neoplasms; Cell Line, Tumor; Dextromethorphan; Fingolimod Hydrochloride; Glioblastoma; Haloperidol; Humans; Levetiracetam; Methotrimeprazine; Valproic Acid

Topics: Adolescent; Aminophylline; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Brain Neoplasms; Bronchodilator Agents; Cisplatin; Cyclophosphamide; Dextromethorphan; Disease Management; Drug Therapy, Combination; Etoposide; Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists; Female; Humans; Methotrexate; Neurotoxicity Syndromes; Pineal Gland; Pinealoma; Prognosis