Urethane Toxicity

Abstract

WIDE experience in the use of urethane (ethyl carbamate) has accumulated since the appearance of the original report of Paterson et al.¹ in 1946. It is now generally accepted that the drug has proved of some use in chronic myelogenous leukemia and less constantly in chronic lymphatic leukemia.^{1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10} Results in acute and subacute leukemia^{2 , 3 , 4 , 7 , 9} and polycythemia vera⁵ have been disappointing.With notable exceptions other malignant diseases have responded poorly or not at all.^{4 , 9 , 11 , 12} Hodgkin's disease, lymphosarcoma, mixed salivary-gland tumor, lymphoepithelioma and various carcinomas have occasionally regressed,^{1 , 9 , 13} as have mycosis fungoides^{9 , 14} and endocrine-independent prostatic carcinoma.^{12 , 15} In multiple myeloma reports have indicated . . .