ITROGEN MUSTARD (methylbis(2-chloroeth-N y1)amine hydrochloride, HN2) is a highly reactive chemotherapeutic agent that is used in the management of certain types of malignant tumors of man. When injected intravenously in experimental animals, this drug produces biological effects remarkably similar to those produced by total-body
3,
The biological and histological effects of ionizing irradiation on the skin have been the subject of many extensive studies.61 9, 10 T h e conventional course of intravenous HN2 therapy in man pioduces no demonstrable change in the skin or in the skin appendages,s and supralethal doses of this agent in anitnals do not give rise to skin alterations.l, 3 It has recently been demonstrated5 that, when HN2 is injected inti a-arterially, profound tissue alterations occur within the region supplied by the artery injected that have not been observed following the intravenous administration ok this drug. Arterial administration provides a method of delivering relatively large doses of HN2 to a localized area, producing a greater concentration of the agent in the tissues supplied by the artery injected and, hence, an enhanced local effect.
Klopp et al. have reported that the injection of HN2 into peripheral arteries in animals and man produced marked gross changes in the skin of the areas supplied by the artery. These changes developed after a latent period and