Amelioration of doxorubicin-induced skin necrosis in mice by butylated hydroxytoluene.

The effect of butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) on doxorubicin (Adriamycin)-induced skin ulcers was investigated in mice. The skin lesions produced by a single intradermal (ID) injection of doxorubicin (0.05 mg; 1 mg/ml) reached maximum size between 5 and 10 days after injection of ADR. Different concentrations of BHT were administered by different routes and at different times in relation to the injection of doxorubicin. The most effective dose of BHT was 4 mg/animal. The topical application of BHT immediately following doxorubicin injection reduced the area of the ulcer by 57%; the immediate ID injection of BHT reduced the size of the ulcer by 84%. Additional studies are required to determine whether BHT will be a clinically useful modifier of the toxicity associated with doxorubicin extravasation in cancer patients.