[Antitumor activity of a new nitrosourea, MCNU, on a cellular morphological basis evaluated by a new in vitro antitumor sensitivity assay].

Using our new in vitro antitumor sensitivity assay, the basis of which depends on predictive analysis of morphological findings of L1210 leukemia cells under the influence of antitumor agents, 5 kinds of nitrosoureas including MCNU were comparatively tested for antitumor activity. A cell killing effect became apparent very soon under BCNU and CCNU, rather late under Methyl-CCNU and MCNU, and intermediately under ACNU. Various cellular biological effects were apparently induced in L1210 cells by MCNU and its mechanism of action seemed to be broader than that of any other members of the nitrosoureas.