Regression of a murine fibrosarcoma after intralesional injection of a synthetic C39 glycolipid related to cord factor.

Intratumoral injection of ultrasonically prepared emulsions of the synthetic glycolipid methly 6-O-(2-tetradecyl-3-hydroxyoctadecanoyl)-alpha-D-glucopyranoside (designated C39) induced complete regression of transplants of a syngeneic murine fibrosarcoma in most of the treated animals as did 6,69-di-O(2-tetradecyl-3-hydroxyoctadecanoyl)-alpha,alpha,-trehalose (designated C76) in a previous study. The C76 compound, about twice the molecular weight of C39, was more effective therapeutically than the smaller molecule. Ultrasonically prepared emulsions of C39 and C76 were not toxic when given intravenously. Intravenously administered emulsions of C39 prepared by mechanical grinding were more toxic, but less granulomagenic, than those containing C76. Squalane and squalene, but not peanut oil, were effective substitutes for mineral oil as carriers of C39 in the treatment of the tumor.