The five-membered disulphide ring system—II: Cytostatic effects

1:2-Dithiolane derivatives have been shown to exert a cytostatic effect on strain L mouse fibroblasts in vitro. A similar effect could usually not be demonstrated on Ehrlich's ascites tumour cells in vivo, although these tumour cells were more sensitive to the antirespiratory effect of the 1:2-dithiolane derivatives than the fibroblasts. Evidence is presented that the lack of cytostatic activity in vivo is due to rapid elimination.