Application of neutron activation analysis in the development of anticancer drugs

Cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) (Cisplatin, CDDP), one of the most important cytostatic agents, has only a small tumor-inhibiting effect on hormone-dependent mammary carcinoma (MC). 1,2-bis(2,6-dichloro-4-hydroxyphenyl)ethylenediamine (L)is estrogen receptor (ER) affinic. It was supposed that CDDP derivatives that contain L as ligand would be enriched in the nuclei of ER-rich (ER{sup +}) cancer cells (e.g., ER{sup +} MC cells) by the receptor system and that such enrichment would cause a good cytostatic effect due to the platinum. Neutron activation analysis (NAA) was applied to provide information on (a) the distribution of the drug in the organism (mice and rats) and (b) changes of the trace element balance under the influence of the therapy.