Arsthinol nanosuspensions: pharmacokinetics and anti-leukaemic activity on NB4 promyelocytic leukaemia cells

• Published in: Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology Vol. 61; no. 10; pp. 1295 - 1301
• Main Authors: Ajana, Imane, Astier, Alain, Gibaud, Stephane
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01-10-2009
• ISSN: 0022-3573; 2042-7158
• DOI: 10.1211/jpp/61.10.0004

Objectives The organoarsenical arsthinol was used in the 1950s in the treatment of amoebiasis and yaws and was considered as 'highly tolerated'. The aim of this work was to study its anti-leukaemic activity and to develop nanosuspensions of the drug, thereby limiting brain concentrations and the risk of encephalopathy. Methods Arsthinol nanosuspensions were produced by high-pressure homogenization. The anti-leukaemic activity was assessed on NB4 acute promyelocytic leukaemia cells (vs solutions of arsthinol, As2O3 and melarsoprol). In addition, a pharmacokinetics study was performed to compare the nanosuspensions and the solution of arsthinol. Key findings Arsthinol induced growth inhibition of NB4 cells at lower concentration (IC50 (concentration inhibiting growth by 50%)=0.78±0.08 is a subset of mol/l after 24h) than As2O3 (IC50=1.60±0.23 is a subset of mol/l after 24h) or melarsoprol (IC50=1.44±0.08 is a subset of mol/l after 24h). When formulated as nanosuspension, arsthinol remained cytotoxic (IC50= 1.33±0.30 is a subset of mol/l after 24h). This formulation also reduced the drug's access to the brain (Cmax=0.03 is a subset of mol/g) whereas bone marrow concentrations remained very high (Cmax= 2 is a subset of mol/g). Conclusions Nanosuspensions of arsthinol could be proposed for further studies in the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukaemia.