The anti-cancer effects of either Cis-diammine (Glycolato) platinum II (CDGP-II), a novel platinum derivative, or ifosfamide (IFX) on bladder carcinoma strain NM-B-1 inoculated in nude mice were examined. These chemotherapeutic agents were compared with each other in terms of their inhibitory effect on tumor growth, their histology, and the concentration of each agent in the blood, tumor tissue, liver and kidneys. (1) The tumor growth was inhibited by CDGP-II in all three different dosage groups (p < 0.05), but not by IFX (p > 0.05). These results were also confirmed by histological examination. (2) The amount of CDGP-II (30 mg/kg) in the tumor tissue increased in a time-dependent manner, while in the blood plasma and kidney tissue, it decreased. Total value (TV) and active metabolite (AML) of IFX (500 mg/kg) were examined. TV in the tumor tissue decreased in a time-dependent manner. AML could not be detected. There was no change of AML in the blood plasma, liver, and kidneys. (3) Transmigration of single loading of CDGP-II or IFX with Angiotensin II (AT-II) from blood into the tissue was examined. CDGP-II in the blood plasma, tumor, liver and kidneys increased in a time-dependent manner. After single administration of IFX, TV decreased in the blood plasma, tumor, liver and kidneys, while AML increased in the blood and kidneys (p < 0.01). (4) The results suggest that CDGP-II may have an anti-tumor effect of NM-B-1. However, the effect can not be enhanced under the influence of a pressor chemotherapeutic agent.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)