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The new mitomycin 7-N-[2-[2-(gamma-L-glutamylamino)ethyl)dithio)ethyl] mitomycin C (KW 2149) (I) proved to be active against a wide variety of experimental tumours. In order to perform pharmacokinetic studies with the new drug in Phase I sessions, a fast and reliable method has been developed based on the data of previous assays for mitomycin C. XAD-2 was preferred for isolation of I from blood plasma. The recovery of I was 50% whereas that of mitomycin C was 85%. Optimal separation was obtained on octadecyl silica columns with methanol-water (45:55, v/v) as mobile phase, while ultraviolet absorbance detection was performed at 375 nm. The assay enabled determination of I in a plasma concentration range of 20-1000 ng/ml using porfiromycin as internal standard.

Aspects of the degradations of mitomycin and porfiromycin were studied. The initial degradation processes of the compounds in an acidic medium were investigated. Influences of pH, buffers, and other additives such as halogenides and dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate [sodium 1,4-bis(2-ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate] were studied. The hydrogen ion catalyzes the degradation of both the uncharged and the protonated species. Anions also promote the degradation of the compounds in an acidic medium. Rate constants for all of the catalytic reactions could be determined. From the pH profiles, after correction for buffer influences, accurate pKa values for the aziridine nitrogens could be obtained. The protective influence of the dioctyl sulfosuccinate ion could be explained. From the data obtained a plausible mechanism for the initial acidic degradation reactions was developed.