Effect of antioxidant beta-(4-hydroxy-3,5-ditertbutylphenyl) propionic acid (phenosan) on the development of malignant neoplasms

The effect of different doses of synthetic antioxidant beta-(4-hydroxy-3,5-ditertbutylphenyl)propionic acid (phenosan) on the development of spontaneous leukemia in AKR mice was studied. The drug efficiency was determined from the survival curves, animal life spans, and the incidence of leukemia. Phenosan exhibited a pronounced antitumor activity at therapeutic (10(-4) mol/kg, 4 administrations) and ultra-low (10(-14) mol/kg, 4 administrations) doses. The dose of 10(-4) mol/kg proved most efficient to increase the life span of the shortlived subpopulation, while the dose of 10(-14) mol/kg increased the life span of the long-lived subpopulation. The ultra-low dose of the drug seems promising as a prophylactic agent.