ANTI-CANCER ACTION OF 6-CARBOXY-4-NITROQUINOLINE 1-OXIDE

Abstract

Potassium salt of 6-carboxy-4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide was tested as to its toxicity, cancericidal action in vitro, and effect in vivo on Ehrlich ascites carcinoma. Compared to the water-insoluble derivatives previously studied, this watersoluble 6-carboxy compound was found to be about 1/10 as toxic and as effective in cancericidal action in vitro. In in vivo tests, the substance in appropriate doses completely destroyed Ehrlich ascites carcinoma when the treatment was started 24 hours after the tumor inoculation. The optimum doses were found to be about twenty times that of 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide.
It was also found that 6-carboxy-4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide inhibits the glycolytic action of Ehrlich carcinoma cells in vitro at about twenty times the concentration which is necessary for 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide. However, no corresponding difference was recognized between the two substances as to their power of inhibiting the activity of crystalline aldolase.