Inhibition of the growth of human lung cancer cells by alkyl-lysophospholipid analogs.

The growth inhibitory activity of two alkyl-lysophospholipid analogs (ALP) towards three different lines of human lung carcinoma cells growing in culture was determined. The alkyl-lysophospholipids, BM 41.440 and Et-18-OCH3 had significant inhibitory activity against a human lung adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Both drugs were less active against a human small cell carcinoma. The data indicate that drugs of this type are therefore potentially useful in the treatment of several types of human lung cancer.