IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO CONTROL OF NEOPLASTIC TISSUE GROWTH

摘要

Compounds of the general formula: wherein R is H, an acyl group or a hydrocarbyl group containing up to 6 carbon atoms, have cytotoxic activity against several tumours. The 4-hydroxylamino compound can be obtained directly from the corresponding 2,4-dinitro compound by selective chemical reduction or by the action of a nitroreductase obtainable from Walker tumour cells. The 2,4-dinitro compound is substantially devoid of cytotoxic activity except in relation to Walker tumour cells and hence can act as a prodrug in regimes where a prodrug is localised in vivo in the regions of a tumour to be treated and is then activated to the cytotoxic 4-hydroxylamino compound under the influence of the enzyme.