Cytostatic and cytotoxic effects of Ukrain on malignant cells

J.W. NOWICKY, W. NOWICKY, A. LIEPINS

Ukrainian Anti-Cancer Institute. Laimgrubeng 19/7, A-1060 Vienna, Austria.

INTRODUCTION

The drug Ukrain is a semisynthetic drug derived from Chelidonium majus L. alkaloids conjugated to thiophosphoric add (J.W. Nowicky, Ukrainian Anti-Cancer Institute, Laimgrubengasse 19/7, a-1060 Vienna. Austria). This drug has unique properties such as selective uptake by human malignant tumor cells and not by normal cells. Furthermore, components of this drug have immunomodulatory effects on the patients immune system. These properties make this drug a strong and valid candidate for cancer therapy.

Based on the aforementioned properties, UKRAIN was evaluated by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) of the United States in their new Developmental Therapeutics Program. The main objective of this NCI in vitro screen is the discovery of new antitumor compounds for cancer therapy. Thus, this in vitro screening program is a "disease oriented" assay system designed to provide new leads, i.e., drugs, for more effective cancer therapy.