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The effects of a series of seven anthracycline cytostatics on various human leukocyte functions, namely the production of Migration Inhibition Factor (MIF) by lymphocytes and the production of chemiluminescence by activated polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs), as well as on classical and alternative pathways of activation of human complement were investigated. In addition, lipophilic and electrochemical properties of the compounds were determined, by measuring their High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) capacity ratio (k') and half-wave reduction potential (E1/2). The antitumor agents under investigation suppressed, in most cases, lymphocyte and PMN functions, whereas complement activity remained unaffected. The extent of suppressive effects showed a good correlation with the lipophilicity of the compounds, while no correlation with reduction potentials was found.

The chemical stability of members of two groups of cytostatics, mitomycins and anthracyclines, has been studied in four different cell culture media enriched with serum. Stability was determined with the use of high performance liquid chromatography. In the group of mitomycins, the 7-aminomitosanes appeared to be relatively stable during a seven days incubation period at 37 degrees C when compared to the 7-methoxy congeners. The anthracycline derivatives, 4-demethoxy-daunorubicin, doxorubicin and its 4'-analogues showed half-lives of about 10-20 hours. Doxorubicinol and daunorubicin were found to be more stable. Anthracycline degradation products could be traced with the use of thin layer chromatography. All main degradation products originate from hydrolytic reactions. No enzymatic conversions could be observed. These observations may be of importance for the correct interpretation of the effects of mitomycins or anthracyclines on cells incubated in a cell culture medium.