Stereo(C7)‐dependent Topoisomerase II Inhibition and Tumor Growth Suppression by a New Quinolone, BO‐2367

A new antimicrobial quinolone (—)BO‐2367, (‐)‐7‐[(1R*,2R*,6R*)‐2‐amino‐8‐azabicyclo[4.3.0.]‐non‐3‐en‐8‐yl]‐l‐cyclopropyl‐6,8‐difluoro‐l,4‐dihydro‐4‐oxo‐3‐quinorinecarboxyric acid, strongly inhibited both mammalian and bacterial topoisomerase II. The IC(50) values of (—)BO‐2367 against the DNA relaxation activity of L1210 topoisomerase II and the supercoiling activities of Escherichia coli gyrase and Micrococcus luteus gyrase were 3.8, 0.5, and 1 μM, respectively. This compound enhanced double‐stranded DNA cleavage mediated by topoisomerase II not only with purified enzyme, but also with intact L1210 cells. All these activities of (—)BO‐2367 were more than 2‐fold stronger than those of VP‐16. Intriguingly, (+)BO‐2367, which has an enantiomeric substitnent at the C7 position of (‐)BO‐2367, did not affect the activity of the mammalian topoisomerase II, while it inhibited E. coll gyrase. Intraperitoneal injection of (‐)BO‐2367 at 0.08 mg/kg increased the lifespan of CDF(1)female mice bearing ascitic L1210 leukemia by 2.4 times, and subcutaneous injection at 1.25 mg/kg completely inhibited the growth of colon 26 carcinoma implanted subcutaneously. These results suggest that (—)BO‐2367 is a potent antitumor agent which targets topoisomerase II. These enantiomers should be a useful tool for studying drug‐topoisomerase II interactions.