Treatment of Chronic Granulocytic Leukemia with Myleran

Abstract

In the hope of finding a less toxic analogue of nitrogen mustard, Haddow replaced the methyl groups in the nitrogen mustard molecule with various aromatic radicals. The compounds which were synthesized were not as effective as nitrogen mustard. Since the effect of nitrogen mustards is thought to be related to its ability to alkylate (i. e., exchange its halogen radical for some unknown body constituent), Timmis substituted another alkylating radical, sulfonic acid ester, for the halogen group. He synthesized a series of disulfonic ester molecules having various carbon chains. The four and five carbon chains were found to be most effective against the Walker rat carcinoma 256.¹ Galton first reported the effects of 1,4-bis (methylsulfonoxy) butane (Myleran) in human leukemia.* After two years of experience in 19 patients with chronic granulo- cytic leukemia he reported clinical improvement similar to that obtained with x-ray therapy. Myleran was not found to