Anti-tumor effect of 3-amino-N-substituted-pyrrolidine-2,5-dione-N-mustard hydrochloride.

The anti-tumor effect of 3-amino-N-substituted pyrrolidine-2,5-dione-N-mustard hydrochloride (PNM.HCl) against Ehrlich (ascites) carcinoma (EAC) was studied. A substantial increase in the survival of mice bearing EAC tumor was achieved following daily administration of PNM.HCl at subtoxic dosages. The therapeutic efficacy of PNM.HCl was maintained with changes in dosages and the schedules of administration. The effect of PNM.HCl when administered with conventional anti-cancer drugs at different time schedules against EAC was also studied. The results demonstrated an augmentation of anti-tumor activity in the case of certain anti-cancer drugs against EAC tumor, thereby suggesting a potential usefulness of PNM.HCl in multi-drug therapy.