Tumor inhibition and hematological improvements by dopamine analog 3,4-dihydroxybenzylamine in mice bearing transplantable carcinoma.

The cancer chemotherapeutic efficacy of 3,4-dihydroxybenzylamine (DHBA), a dopamine analog with reduced neurotoxic effects, was evaluated in strain A mice bearing transplantable Ehrlich's ascites carcinoma. The analog was administered intraperitoneally on day 1 post-transplantation at dose schedules of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg/day for 7 consecutive days. The results demonstrated a significant inhibition of tumor growth and prolongation of the survival time of EAC tumor bearing mice following DHBA treatment. Diminished activity of the growth-related respiratory enzyme succinate dehydrogenase along with the stimulated activity of the lysosomal enzyme beta-glucuronidase in the DHBA-treated tumor cells indicated inhibition of tumor growth as well as active lysis of the tumor cells. Tumor inhibition was accompanied by marked improvements in hemoglobin concentration. RBC count and bone marrow cellularity. The results demonstrated that DHBA did not adversely affect hematological profile of the host while it inhibited the growth of Ehrlich's ascites carcinoma.