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Cell kinetic effect of low dose arabinosyl cytosine
Author(s) -
Baccarani Michele,
Tazzari Pier Luigi,
Motta Maria Rosa,
Rizzi Simonetta,
Fanin Renato,
Fasola Gianpiero,
Damiani Daniela,
Dinota Angelo,
Tura Sante
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
british journal of haematology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.907
H-Index - 186
eISSN - 1365-2141
pISSN - 0007-1048
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2141.1987.tb02292.x
Subject(s) - cytosine , kinetic energy , cell , chemistry , biophysics , cancer research , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , biochemistry , dna , physics , quantum mechanics
S ummary . Low dose arabinosyl cytosine (ARA‐C) is effective for treatment of acute non‐lymphocytic leukaemia (ANLL). The mechanism of action is not clearly understood and it was suggested that low doses of the drug could induce leukaemic cells to differentiate. We investigated the effect of low dose ARA‐C (20 mg/m 2 /d, divided into two doses s.c. at 12 h intervals, × 20 d) on the cell cycle distribution of leukaemic cells in four cases of ANLL. By comparison, four other cases of ANLL were studied during treatment with standard dose ARA‐C (200 mg/m 2 /d as a continuous i.v. infusion × 7 d). Both treatments induced an accumulation of leukaemic cells in post G1 phases, at a variable extent and rate. During treatment by low dose ARA‐C, the mitotic index (MI) fell slowly to zero in two patients who achieved a complete remission (CR), while it fell but recovered during treatment in the patients who did not achieve a CR. The MI fell rapidly to zero in the four cases treated by standard dose, who achieved a CR. These data are consistent with the known cytotoxic activity of ARA‐C, via inhibition and slowing of DNA synthesis leading to defective cell proliferation and to cell death.