NITROGEN MUSTARDS IN THE TREATMENT OF NEOPLASTIC DISEASE

Abstract

The chemical and biologic properties of the nitrogen mustards have recently been summarized.¹Through the cooperation of the Chemical Warfare Service, United States Army, the National Defense Research Committee and the Committee on Medical Research of the Office of Scientific Research and Development, the National Research Council and with aid from the Jane Coffin Childs Memorial Fund for Medical Research, studies were undertaken to ascertain the value of the clinical use of the nitrogen mustards in the treatment of neoplastic disease.<i>Tris</i>(β-chloroethyl)amine hydrochloride and methyl-<i>bis</i>(β-chloroethyl)amine hydrochloride are the only compounds of the nitrogen mustard series thus far investigated in this association. The studies were begun under a contract between the Office of Scientific Research and Development and Yale University, and authority to carry out the work was subsequently given by the Committee on Atypical Growth of the National Research Council to the University of Chicago Medical