Sensitizing ability and toxicity of iodoacetamide in radiotherapy of a C3H mouse mammary carcinoma.

The radiosensitizing effect of iodoacetamide was studied in a C3H mouse mammary carcinoma together with its toxicity to the host. TCD(50) or radiation dose to yield 50% tumour control frequency was determined in tumours treated or untreated with the agent. Results indicated that 15 mg/kg of iodoacetamide sensitized hypoxic tumour cells, as did atmospheric oxygen, and the sensitization was not detectable below this dose. Experiments with fractionated treatments suggested that the reoxygenation occurring during the treatment intervals of 24 hours might be more important in the sterilization of tumour cells than the agent.