Novel 21-aminosteroids prevent tumour associated neurological dysfunction.

The efficacy of the potent lipid peroxidation inhibitors U-74006F and U-78517F in the treatment of blood-tumour barrier permeability and tumour associated neurological dysfunction was evaluated. Rats with stereotactically implanted Walker 256 tumours were treated with methylprednisolone (MP), U-74006F, U-78517F, or vehicle. (0.05 N HCl) on days 6 through 10 following implantation. Neurologic function and vascular permeability was assessed on day 10. U-74006F and MP were equally effective at preventing neurologic dysfunction compared to control (p less than 0.01). U-78517F was slightly less effective than U-74006F and MP but was significantly better than vehicle in preventing neurological dysfunction. MP resulted in a significant decrease in tumour vascular permeability (p less than 0.006) while the lipid peroxidation inhibitors had no effect on permeability.