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The noteworthy cytostatic activity of triglycidyl-s-triazinetrione and the planned clinical testing of this new active substance induced us to subject this class of substances to closer examination. By chemical reaction of one of the three glycidyl groups present it was possible to introduce wide variations in the properties of the compounds, whilst still retaining the active principle. A number of these substances possessed very high antitumor activity as revealed in the leukemia screening test (P 388; mouse). The influence of other substituents within the glycidyl groups affecting the reactivity of the epoxides groups was also examined.

A glyceride derivative of chlorambucil (2), 1,3-dipalmitoyl-2-[4-[bis (2-chloroethyl)amino]benzenebutanoyl]glycerol (1), was synthesized and tested as an orally administrable antineoplastic drug endowed with lymphotropic properties. A significantly higher efficacy (increased life span) and a reduced toxicity of 1, relative to 2, were apparent when both compounds given per os were evaluated against P388 leukemia subcutaneously implanted in mice, a situation where the tumor cells disseminate along the lymphatic route. In order to assess the selective absorption of 1 by the intestinal lymphatic system after oral administration, we determined plasma and intestinal lymphatic concentrations and compared them with that obtained with 2. The results clearly demonstrate that the esterification of 2 to a diacylglycerol moiety brings about considerably higher levels in the lymph and reduces plasma levels. Moreover, pharmacokinetic and biological data suggest that 1 is most probably acting by itself rather than as a prodrug of chlorambucil.