Terephthalamidine: past and future.

Terephthalamidine (NSC 57155) is one of 800 terephthalanilides and related compounds which were synthesized and tested preclinically in the late 1950's and early 1960's. Based upon their activity against murine leukemias, some of these agents were tested briefly in clinical trials at that time. Despite the observation of responses, the compounds were dropped because of severe and unusual neurotoxicity. More recently, terephthalamidine has been screened for antitumor activity and chosen for further clinical investigation by the NCI's Project for the Review of Old Drugs (P.R.O.D.) because of its novel structure and spectrum of preclinical activity. The current availability of a plasma assay for the drug permits further study of its clinical pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics and, perhaps, the development of improved scheduling strategies.