Antitumour activity of some platinum compounds

A group of cis-ethylenediammine platinum (II) complexes were synthesized and their activity against Sarcoma-180 ascites tumour cells in mouse was tested. One of the compounds, Pt(HOCH2CH2NHCH2CH2NH2)Cl2, showed significant antitumour activity having little toxicity to the host. Like the parent compound, cis-DDP, it binds to DNA, but transcription is not the primary process inhibited by these compounds. The drug-DNA complex, though less toxic, was not more effective than the free drug.