Cytological effect of nogalamycin in mammals and regression of methylcholanthrene-induced and spontaneous tumors in rats.

The cytological effect of nogalamycin was studied in rats, mice and cultured human leukocytes. Four standard test systems were used: (1) Analysis of spermatogonial cells, (2) Cytological evaluation of bone-marrow metaphase plates, (3) micronucleus test in polychromatic erythrocytes, and (4) Determination of chromosomal aberrations in cultured human leukocytes. The results of the studies indicated that the types and frequencies of cytological errors induced by the drug were not significantly different from the concurrent controls. Chemically induced fibrosarcoma tumors and tumors of spontaneous origin in rats were successfully regressed following the administration of nogalamycin. Simultaneous transplantation of chemically induced fibrosarcoma tumors and intraperitoneal administration of nogalamycin, irreversibly inhibited growth of primary tumors in rats. The most effective concentration of nogalamycin for either regression of actively growing fibrosarcoma tumors or inhibition of transplanted fibrosarcoma cells was 556 mug/kg of body weight.