Cytotoxic activity of di-n-butyltin(IV)(X-A-B-Y) compounds related to salicylic acid against human tumour cells.

A series of di-n-butyltin(IV) compounds of the type di-n-butyltin(IV)(X-A-B-Y) with the (X-A-B-Y) being related to salicylic acid was tested in vitro for cytotoxic activity against tumour cells of the human A 204, MCF-7, T24, WiDr and IgR-37 cell lines using the PIT method. In each cell line the di-n-butyltin(IV) compounds displayed similar activity. As compared to cisplatin, the compounds were 4- to 10-fold more effective against A 204, MCF-7 and T24 tumour cells and slightly more effective against WiDr cells. The effectiveness against IgR-37 cells was similar for cisplatin and di-n-butyltin (IV) compounds.