Quinacrine: sclerosing agent of the utero-tubal junction in women, with anticarcinogenic actions in transplanted tumors in mice

Abstract

Quinacrine, an acridine derivative that was in widespread use as an anti-malarial, has been shown to have both sclerosant and anticarcinogenic actions. The sclerosant action of quinacrine has been used to produce occlusion of Fallopian tube in both experimental animals and women, and several clinical studies are reviewed. Both actions of quinacrine are potentiated by steroidal and non-steroidal antiprostaglandins as well as by ionic copper. Combinations of quinacrine with antiprostaglandin drugs, and also with copper, improved the efficacy of quinacrine when used for female sterilization and reduced side effects. A review of the experimental and epidemiological evidence suggests that quinacrine has no carcinogenic effects.