The radiomimetic properties of a platinum drug

CHIP (cis-dichlorobis isopropylamine trans-dihydroxy platinum IV) is a second-generation platinum co-ordination complex which potentiates the effects of radiation. Comparisons of the biological effects of CHIP and X rays upon Chinese hamster (ovary) cells have shown similarities with respect to the shape of the dose-response curves, clone size distributions and perturbation of the cell cycle. Unlike irradiated cells however, CHIP-treated cells showed no recovery from sublethal damage and no variation in sensitivity throughout the cell cycle. CHIP is a radiomimetic drug in some respects but not in others.