Teratology studies of ametantrone acetate in rats and rabbits

Ametantrone acetate is an antineoplastic drug chemically described as 1,4-bis [[2-[(2-hydroxyethyl)-amino] ethyl]amino] -9,10-anthracenedione diacetate salt. The drug has activity against leukemia and solid tumors in animal models. The purpose of this study was to investigate the teratogenic potential in pregnant rats and rabbits when administered during the critical period of organogenesis. Daily doses of 1.5, 3.0, and 6.0 mk/kg were administered IP to pregnant rats on days 6 through 15 of gestation, and 0.2, 0.4, and 0.8 mg/kg to rabbits on days 6 through 18. Dose-related weight loss occurred in both species during treatment as well as in the entire gestation period. Maternal and fetal parameters were evaluated upon uterotomies in rats on gestation day 20 and rabbits on day 28. In both species, there was dose-related blue discoloration of abdominal viscerae and of skin at injection sites. In rats, fetal malformations and developmental variations were comparable between treated and control fetuses. However, the incidence of fetal malformations was increased in rabbits given 0.4 and 0.8 mg/kg but not at 0.2 mg/kg. Based on these data, ametantrone was considered teratogenic at dose levels of 0.4 mg/kg and above in rabbits.