A Comparative Study of the Mode of Action of X-Rays and Alkylating Agents

Abstract

PHARMACOLOGICAL and toxicological researches have shown that the effects of nitrogen mustard are strikingly similar to those of ionizing radiation¹. On account of the great similarity shown by the effects of mustards to irradiation effect, the mustards have been termed ‘;radiomimetic poisons’². The similarity, furthermore, was found also in the action on the viscosity of deoxyribonucleic acid³. On the other hand, Auerbach⁴ found that the types of genetic change induced by mustard gas are in some respects different from those caused by X-rays, and suggested that the mode of action of the two agents is also different. Widner et al. ⁵ and Koller et al. ⁶ compared the cytological effects in normal and tumour cells, and found a significant difference which they attributed to the difference in the mode of action of these agents. The mechanism of the effect, however, seems to involve many obscure points and demands further investigation from various points of view.