Abstract
L-DOPA (L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine) is extensively used in man for the treatment of Parkinson's disease, and it can also inhibit selectively the growth of pigmented human melanoma cells in vitro1. Demonstration of in vivo antitumour activity, however, has been lacking except in the special case of hormonally responsive mammary carcinoma2 where the antitumour effect is thought to be mediated indirectly. Since in vitro cytotoxicity was not observed until concentrations of 600–1,200 µg ml−1 were attained the use of the more soluble methyl ester derivative was proposed as a method for delivery of cytotoxic doses. In vivo antitumour activity of L-dopa methyl ester is reported here in the following tumour systems: L1210 lymphocytic leukaemia; P388 lymphocytic leukaemia and B-16 melanoma.
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