1-2-bis(methylsulfonyl)-1-(2-chloroethyl)hydrazine and Sarcoma-180

Several 1,2,2-tris(sulfonyl)hydrazines, conceived as prodrugs of 1,2-bis(sulfonyl)hydrazines, were synthesized and evaluated for antineoplastic and trypanocidal activities in mice. 1-Methyl-1,2,2-tris(methylsulfonyl)hydrazine emerged as an extremely efficacious antitrypanosomal agent, whereas 1-(2-chloroethyl)-1,2,2-tris(methylsulfonyl)hydrazine was inactive. In contrast, 1-(2-chloroethyl)-1,2,2-tris(methylsulfonyl)hydrazine displayed potent antineoplastic activity, producing several 60-day "cures" of mice bearing leukemia L1210, leukemia P388, or Sarcoma 180. Furthermore, the fact that the tris(sulfonyl) derivatives will not generate isocyanates, which contribute to the host toxicity of nitrosoureas like 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU), makes them agents of significant promise in trypanosomal and cancer chemotherapy.

Topics: Animals; Antineoplastic Agents; Chemical Phenomena; Chemistry; Female; Hydrazines; Leukemia L1210; Leukemia P388; Mice; Molecular Structure; Prodrugs; Sarcoma 180; Sulfones; Trypanocidal Agents; Trypanosoma brucei brucei; Trypanosomiasis, African; Tumor Cells, Cultured