Activity of a novel anthracenedione, 1,4-dihydroxy-5,8-bis(((2-[(2-hydroxyethyl)amino]ethyl)amino])-9,10-anthracenedione dihydrochloride, against experimental tumors in mice.

1,4-Dihydroxy-5,8-bis(((2[(2-hydroxyethyl)amino]ethyl)amino))-9,-10-anthracenedione dihydrochloride (CL 232315; NSC 301739D), a representative of a new chemical class of compounds with antineoplastic properties, has been evaluated for antitumor activity in experimental mouse tumor systems. The compound produced significant increases in life span (ILS) and long-term survivors when tested against the P388 and L1210 leukemias as well as the solid neoplasms, B16 melanoma and Colon Tumor 26. The optimal treatment regimens resulted in a 173 to greater than 200% ILS with 20 to 80% 60-day survivors in mice with P388 leukemia, A 205% ILS with 55% 60-day survivors in mice with L1210 leukemia, and an ILS of greater than 300% with 80% 90-day survivors in mice with B16 melanoma. In contrast to Adriamycin, CL 232315 was active against the i.v. implanted L1210 leukemia and demonstrated moderate activity against P388/Adria, a subline of P388 resistant to Adriamycin. The compound was ineffective when tested against the Lewis lung carcinoma and the Ridgway osteogenic sarcoma. CL 232315 was active i.p., s.c., and i.v., but p.o. activity was not demonstrated. Schedule dependency was not observed when the compound was administered once daily for nine days, once every four days, or as a single dose.