The Human Tumor-Egg Host System II. Discovery and Properties of a New Antitumor Agent, Hadacidin.

Abstract

A new crystalline antitumor agent, hadacidin, was discovered in fermentation broths of Penicillium frequentans Westling. The human tumor-embryonated egg system was used to guide fermentation and isolation studies. Against the human adenocarcinoma, H.Ad. 1, the tumor ID50 of hadacidin is about 3 mg. per egg. Hadacidin is active also against the human epidermoid carcinoma, H.Ep. 3, and the human bronchogenic carcinoma, A-42, in the embryonated egg. On a weight basis, hadacidin has about the same range of activity as azaserine and 6-mercaptopurine but has only 1% the activity of the alkylating agent, triethylene melamine.