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Metronidazole: effect on radiosensitivity of tumor and normal tissues in mice

Journal Article · · J. Natl. Cancer Inst., v. 55, no. 5, pp. 1189-1194
OSTI ID:4130535

Local control of a mammary carcinoma in air-breathing C3H mice was enhanced by giving metronidazole before radiotherapy. When 0.5 to 1.0 Mg metronidazole/g body weight was given ip 10 minutes before irradiation, the dose required for local control of 50 percent of the tumors (TCD50) was reduced by a factor of 1.37 to 1.38. The TCD50 was reduced by a factor of 1.48 to 1.50 when tumors were irradiated 30 to 60 minutes after 1.0 mg/g. Metronidazole alone, at a dose of 1.0 mg/g, only slightly inhibited tumor growth. The acute skin response of the leg, as determined by the radiation dose required to produce complete moist desquamation in 50 percent of the animals (DD50), was enhanced by a factor of 1.26 when mice were irradiated 10 minutes after a dose of 1.0 mg metronidazole/g. Clonogenic cells in the jejunal epithelium were not sensitized after metronidazole administration in either air-breathing mice or those irradiated in O$sub 2$ 30 pounds per square inch, but the drug appeared to exert a slight protective effect at higher doses of radiation. (auth)

Research Organization:
Univ. of Texas, Houston
NSA Number:
NSA-33-009557
OSTI ID:
4130535
Journal Information:
J. Natl. Cancer Inst., v. 55, no. 5, pp. 1189-1194, Journal Name: J. Natl. Cancer Inst., v. 55, no. 5, pp. 1189-1194; ISSN JNCIA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English