Suppression of Human Pancreatic Cancer Growth in BALB/c Nude Mice by Manumycin, a Farnesyl:protein Transferase Inhibitor

Activating mutations of Ki‐ras have been detected in most human pancreatic adenocarcinomas. Since Ras protein requires farnesylation to function, we investigated the effects of manumycin, a potent farnesyl:protein transferase inhibitor, on the growth in nude mice of a human pancreatic cancer cell line, MIA PaCa‐2, with a point mutation in the Ki‐ras gene. Tumor‐bearing mice received intraperitoneal injection of 1 or 5 mg/kg manumycin daily for 5 days, or 2 mg/kg manumycin daily for 2 weeks. Growth of inoculated tumors was significantly inhibited by the treatment. The treatment significantly (P<0.05) lowered the numbers of bromodeoxyuridine‐incorporating tumor cells. Manumycin did not have apparent hepatotoxicity in vivo. Farnesyl:protein transferase inhibitors could offer a new approach for cancer chemotherapy.