PG490-88, a derivative of triptolide, causes tumor regression and sensitizes tumors to chemotherapy

Treatment of solid tumors with combinations of chemotherapeutic agents has not led to significant increases in long-term survival. Recent studies support a role for inhibitors of checkpoint arrest as a means to enhance the cytotoxicity of chemotherapy. We have shown previously that triptolide (PG490), an oxygenated diterpene derived from a Chinese medicinal plant, induces apoptosis in cultured tumor cells and sensitizes tumor cells to topoisomerase inhibitors by blocking p53-mediated induction of p21. Here we extend our studies to a tumor xenograft model and evaluate the efficacy and safety of PG490-88 (14-succinyl triptolide sodium salt), a water-soluble prodrug of PG490. We also look at the combination of PG490 or PG490-88 with CPT-11, a topoisomerase I inhibitor, in cultured cells and in the tumor xenograft model. We show that PG490-88 is a safe and potent antitumor agent when used alone, causing tumor regression of lung and colon tumor xenografts. We also show that PG490-88 acts in synergy with CPT-11 to cause tumor regression. A phase I trial of PG490-88 for solid tumors began recently and safety and optimal dosing data should accrue within the next 12 months. Our findings that PG490-88 causes tumor regression and that it acts in synergy with DNA-damaging chemotherapeutic agents suggest a role as an antineoplastic agent and chemosensitizer for the treatment of patients with solid tumors.