Effects of tauromustine, a water-soluble nitrosourea compound on NMU-1 murine lung tumor

This study assessed the antitumor activity of 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-/2-(dimethylaminosulfonyl)ethyl-1-nitrosourea (TCNU), a newly soluble nitrosourea, on NMU-1 lung tumor, a transplantable murine model poorly sensitive to BCNU. TCNU delivered orally was more effective after weekly than after biweekly treatments. When TCNU was given weekly intravenously, its therapeutic index was higher than after oral treatment. Compared with BCNU, TCNU showed superior antitumor effects on NMU-1 murine lung tumor. In this experimental model, TCNU activity was comparable to that of drugs active on human lung cancer.