Sulfane sulfur deficiency in malignant cells, increasing the inhibiting action of acetone cyanohydrin in tumor growth.

PURPOSE: To demonstrate the irreversible poisoning action of the acetone cyanohydrin (AC) in malignant cells.

METHODS

Thirty male Swiss mice were inoculated with 1 x 10³ Ehrlich tumor (ET) cells. The mice were divided into three groups (n=10): CG (saline); ACG1 (1.864 mg/Kg of AC) and ACG2 (2.796 mg/Kg of AC), treated every 48 hours from day 3 until day 13. On day 15 the mice were euthanized and the number of viable cells in ascites was determined. In the meantime, ET cells were incubated with AC (0.5, 1.0, 2.0 μg/mL). Cell viability and percentage of growth inhibition (PGI) were checked after one, two, three, four, 18 and 24 hours.

RESULTS

There was reduction in volume and number of viable cells in ACG1 and ACG2 compared to CG. In ACG1 one of the animals did not present ascites. In ACG2 two mice did not present ascites and in CG none of the mice present ascites. The action of AC was dose and time dependent and there was no significant difference among the three doses.

CONCLUSION

The acetone cyanohydrin promoted reduction of the tumor and also prevented tumor development in 20% of the treated animals.