Protection by alpha-tocopherol and dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) against adriamycin induced skin ulcers in the rat

Extravasation of adriamycin during intravenous infusion to cancer patients can cause serious local complications. Topical application of 1 ml 10% alpha-tocopherol succinate in DMSO for 2 or 7 days produced up to a 71% decrease in the diameter of skin ulcers produced by intradermal adriamycin in the rat. A combination of alpha-tocopherol and DMSO might be useful for protecting humans against accidentally extravasated adriamycin.