1-Adamantanamine hydrochloride: inhibition of Rous and Esh Sarcoma viruses in cell culture.

I-Adamantanamine hydrochloride, added to chick embryo cells, inhibited focus production upon subsequent inoculation of the cells with Rous and Esh sarcoma viruses. Addition of the chemical to suspensions of Rous and Esh viruses before they were added to chick cell cultures did not inactivate the viruses; and the addition to chick cells did not prevent plaque formation following their inoculation with Newcastle disease virus. This indicates that cells treated with 1-adamantanamine hydrochloride are capable of supporting viral replication, and these observations suggest that the drug inhibits growth of two oncogenic viruses by prevention of virus penetration, but not by a virucidal effect or cell intoxication.