Comparison of cytotoxicity of single dose and infusion of alkylating agents.

Both cytotoxicity and host toxicity were examined for the alkylating agents HN2, BCNU and L-PAM administered intravenously (IV) either as a single bolus injection or a 24-hour infusion. The bolus injection was more effective than the infusion schedule at a given dose for BCNU and L-PAM. Unexpectedly, the HN2 infusion schedule was more effective than bolus injection at a given dose. When host survival was the endpoint, both HN2 and L-PAM were shown to be more effective by the infusion schedule.