Cytotoxicity in vitro and preliminary antitumor activity in vivo of a novel organotin compound

The cytotoxic effect and antitumor activity induced by the novel organotin compound triethyltin(lV)lupinylsulfide hydrochloride, have been investigate d. Different patterns of antiproliferative effects have been observed in a panel of human tumor cell fines in vitro. Toxicity studies in mice reported acute toxicity at the doses of 21 and 17.5 mg/kg which progressively disap peared at lower, concentrations. On this basis, the doses of 3.5, 7 and 14 mg/kg were selected to assess the antitumor activity in vivo against the P3 88 leukemic cells xenografted in mice. This compound was able to induce a d ose-dependent significant reduction of armor volume, lip to 46%, at the hig hest concentration (p=0.0062) without important toxicity, as also confirmed by histological analysis of the main organ tissues. This preliminary study seems to hold interest for further investigations in different tumor model s as well as for the evaluation of optimal drug route and schedule.