Antitumor activity in the acridine series.

: The antitumor effect against experimental tumors in mice of three acridine derivatives analog or homolog of N-[4'-(9-acridinylamino)-3'-methoxyphenyl]-methanesulfonamide has been investigated. The 3,6-bis-dimethylamino analog (DAMSA) showed important antitumor effect in murine leukemias and moderate effect in a solid tumor, the M5076 reticulosarcoma. The body weight loss of the treated mice was always within an acceptable range when 100 mg/kg were administered under the conditions of the experiment. However, a systemic toxic effect could be observed when 200 mg/kg were used. This preliminary data may be considered as an important step in the development of new acridine analogs with a different spectrum of antitumor activity.