Synthesis and evaluation of some alkoxy-, chloro-, and acyloxy-conjugated styryl ketones against P-388 lymphocytic leukemia and an examination of the metabolism and toxicological effects of 1-(m-ethoxymethyloxyphenyl)-1-nonen-3-one in rats.

A number of analogs of a new antineoplastic agent, 1-(m-ethoxymethyloxyphenyl)-1-nonen-3-one (IIIa) were prepared and evaluated against murine P-388 lymphocytic leukemia. Metabolic studies of IIIa in rats showed that it was sequestered rapidly to the brain and hence probably to other adipose tissue, which may account for the absence of IIIa and metabolites in urine and feces. A detailed toxicological evaluation of IIIa in rats showed marked pathological changes principally in the liver and spleen as a result of erythrophagocytosis from bleeding into the abdomen.