CARCINOSTATIC EFFECT OF ALIPHATIC-ALDEHYDES AND ALDEHYDE DEHYDROGENASE-ACTIVITY IN EHRLICH CARCINOMA, SARCOMA 180, AND YOSHIDA AH 130 HEPATOMA

Abstract

The antitumor activity of 2,3-dihydroxybutyraldehyde on Ehrlich carcinoma, Sarcoma 180, and Yoshida AH 130 hepatoma, as well as aldehyde dehydrogenase [EC 1.2.1.3] activity in these tumors, was studied. 2,3-Dihydroxybutyraldehyde at nontoxic doses (500 mg/kg body wt i.p. daily for 7 days) slowed down the growth of solid and ascites tumors in mice. The same treatment completely prevented the development of Yoshida ascites hepatoma in several rats. 2,3-Dihydroxybutyraldehyde, although it did not influence the growth of Ehrlich carcinoma transplanted in the brain of mice, significantly decreased in the lungs of these animals the number of viable tumor cells that derived from the primary tumor. All tested tumors which were sensitive to the action of 2,3-dihydroxybutyraldehyde were devoid of aldehyde dehydrogenase activity. A possible relationship between the lack of this enzyme activity and the antitumor activity of aliphatic aldehydes was suggested.