Toxicity and Antitumor Activity of Gallium Nitrate and Periodically Related Metal Salts2

Summary

The toxicity and antitumor activity of gallium nitrate and periodically related salts of aluminum, indium, and thallium were examined. The order of increasing lethality in mice and rats was Al(NO₃)₃< Ga(NO₃)₃TICI₃<In(NO₃)₃. All 4 metal salts were active in prolonging the lifespan of rats inoculated with ascites Walker carcinosarcoma 256, but none of the metal salts were active in mice bearing ascites leukemias, plasma-cell tumors, or Ehrlich carcinoma. Gallium nitrate was also active in inhibiting the growth of 6 of 8 solid tumors in rodents. Al⁺³ and In⁺³ had less activity, and thallium chloride was inactive. Gallium nitrate, therefore, has potential usefulness for treatment of various solid tumors in humans.