Studies on the cytotoxicity of penicillamine in a rat osteogenic sarcoma

The effect of penicillamine on the growth rate of an osteogenic sarcoma of rats was investigated and compared with cyclophosphamide. Rats were inoculated with a readily transplantable osteogenic sarcoma subcutaneously into the left thigh and treated with penicillamine and cyclophosphamide alone or in combination. Cyclophosphamide inhibited tumour growth. Penicillamine did not delay the appearance or the growth rate of the tumour. Tumour sizes tended to be larger in the penicillamine-treated rats, but there was no evidence that penicillamine interfered with the antitumour effect of cyclophosphamide given in large doses (100 mg/kg).