Activity of SC33428, a novel bishydrazone-bridged derivative of 4-demethoxydaunorubicin, against experimental tumors in mice.

SC33428, a novel bishydrazone-bridged analogue of 4-demethoxydaunorubicin, has been tested for antitumor activity in a range of experimental mouse tumor systems and has been found to be active when administered i.p., i.v., or p.o. When compared to Adriamycin, SC33428 was 4 times more potent and had antitumor activity which was superior against i.p. or i.v. L1210 leukemia, similar against i.p. P388 leukemia and i.v. Lewis lung carcinoma, and inferior against i.p. B16 melanoma. When compared to 4-demethoxydaunorubicin, SC33428 was 4 times less potent but a much more effective antitumor agent when given i.p. against i.p. L1210, P388, and B16 tumors. However, when given i.v. or p.o., the two compounds had similar potency and efficacy against systemic P388 and L1210 leukemias.