Inhibitory effects of subcutaneous dexamethasone treatment on rat pulmonary toxicity of KW-2149, a new mitomycin C analogue

An experimental model for pulmonary toxicity of KW-2149, a new mitomycin C analogue, was established and the inhibitory effects of dexamethasone (DM) were investigated. KW-2149 was given to male rats 3 or 5 times at weekly in tervals by intravenous injection of 3.28 or 8.2 mg/kg. As a suitable model for pulmonary toxicity, the dose of 3.28 mg/kg per week for 3 weeks was sel ected, this causing exudative pleural effusion in all animals but no deaths . For preventing this toxicity, DM was injected subcutaneously 3 times ever y week at 0.5, 1.0, 2.5 or 5.0 mg/kg. The 0.5 mg/kg dose was sufficient to completely prevent development of pleural effusions. Combined DM treatment may be an effective chemotherapy for KW-2149 induced pulmonary toxicity.