Inhibition by 4'-demethyl-epipodophyllotoxin 9-(4,6-O-2-thenylidene-beta-D-glucopyranoside) of human lymphoblast cultures in G2 phase of the cell cycle.

4'-Demethyl-epipodophyllotoxin 9-(4,6-0-2-thenylidene-beta-D-glucopyranoside) is a semisynthetic derivative of podophyllotoxin with oncolytic activity against a variety of neoplasms, Unlike the parent compound and other derivatives, which cause methaphase arrest, 4'-Demethyl-epipodophyllotoxin 9-(4,6-0-2-thenylidene-beta-D-glucopyranoside) apparently blocks the entry of CCRF-CEM cells into mitosis by inhibiting cells in the G2 phase of the cell cycle. The inhibition of precursor incorporation into DNA, RNA, and the protein, if observed, was delayed and probably secondary to inhibition of cells in the G2 phase of the cell cycle.