[Antineoplastic spectrum of mitoxantrone in rat ascitic hepatoma]

The antitumor activity of mitoxantrone, a new anthraquinone derivative, was examined on 11 cell lines of ascitic hepatoma in Donryu rats. The antitumor effect of mitoxantrone was slightly weaker than other anthracycline agents. However, since the balance of antitumor effect and toxicity shows a somewhat different pattern between man and rat, it is inappropriate to conclude the value of this agent from our present test alone. The real effectiveness in man will become apparent only when this agent is used human tumors.