Effect of copper pretreatment on toxicity and antitumor activity of cis-diamminedichloroplatinum in mice.

Effect of pretreatment with CuSO4 on toxicity and antitumor activity of cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (Cisplatin; CDDP) in mice were examined. Single subcutaneous administration of copper (CuSO4, 40 mumol/kg) 24 hr prior to injection of a lethal dose of CDDP (35 mumol/kg, sc) showed the most favorable effect among various administration conditions tested and completely prevented the manifestation of lethal toxicity of CDDP. In mice subcutaneously inoculated with Ehrlich tumor cells, the preadministration of copper also depressed the lethal and renal toxicity of CDDP without compromising its antitumor activity.