A subacute toxicity study of cis-Malonato[(4R,5R)-4,5-bis(aminomethyl)-2-isopropyl-1,3-dioxolane]platinum(II)(SKI 2053R) was carried out to obtain information on its toxicological profiles, and to determine the maximum tolerated dose in beagle dogs. Four groups of beagle dogs (2M and 2F per group, 0,0.5,1.0,2.0mg/kg/day)were given 15 i.v. injections of SKI 2053R. In order to compare the toxic effects of SKI 2053R with those of cisplatin, one group was treated with cisplatin(0.7mg/kg/day)according to the same treatment schedule. The dosing schedule was divided into 3 courses of 5 consecutive days with 23-day dose-free intervals between each course. After completion of the treatments, remaining dogs were necropsied under established guidelines. Three of four dogs in the high dose group and one of four dogs in the middle dose group treated with SKI 2053R died of hypovolemic shock secondary to hemorrhagic and ulcerative enterocolitis. No toxicity-related mortality occurred in the low dose group of SKI 2053R. No survivor was observed in the group of cisplatin. Clinical signs including vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia and loss body weight were apparent in dogs given either cisplatin or high and middle doses of SKI 2053R. Severe thrombocytopenia and leukocytopenia were observed in the high dose group of SKI 2053R and cisplatin-treatment group, while toxicities as bone marrow suppression were reversible. The significant elevation of serum ALP values in group of SKI 2053R(2.0 mg/kg/day and 1.0mg/kg/day) and cisplatin(0.7mg/kg/day)was observed. Slight proteinuria waa observed in high and middle dose level groups of SKI 2053R. In histopathological examinations, pathological alterations of liver, kidney and spleen were noted dose-dependantly in dogs treated with SKI 2053R, and there was no overt sign of toxicity in low dose group of SKI 2053R. Compared to SKI 2053R, more severe durg-related toxicities occurred in dogs treated with cisplatin. It waw estimated that maximum tolerated dose of SKI 2053R in this treatment schedule was 0.5~0.7mg/kg/day. In conclusion, overall toxic potential of SKI 2053R was approximately 3 times lower than that of cisplatin with respect of lethality.