In mice of the SMZ strain the protective effect of various kinds of radioprotectant agents against the toxicity of the alkylating agent mechiorethamine (HN2) was investigated. HN2 was injected subcutaneously in doses of 6 mg/kg, corresponding to the LD/sub 99/6/. The most effective protective agent tested was the chelating agent Na diethyldithiocarbamate (DEDTC), which when injected intraperitoneally in doses of 335 mg/kg raised the 4-day survival rate to 90% from a control value of 20%. Other chelating agents were less effective, showing the specific action of the dithiocarbamate anion: tetraethylthiuram disulfide (disulfiram), 2-guanidinothiazolidone, and diethylamine. Moderately effective against the toxicity of HN2 were (in decreasing order): reserpine, chlorpromazine, propylene glycol, malononitrile, glutathione, cysteamine, oxytocin, and Na ethylenediaminetatraacetate. Tryptamine was ineffective and cysteine augmented the toxicity of HN2. DEDTC did not modify the carcinostatic effect of HN2 against Ehrlich ascites tumor and thus, by markedly reducing the toxicity of HN2, enhances the therapeutic index of HN2 3 fold. The protective effect of DEDTC and the other radioprotectant agents against HN2 suggest that alkylating agents and ionizing radiation have analogous effects on tissue constituents. (H.H.D.)