New potential cytotoxic and antitumor substances I. In vitro effect of bikaverin and its derivatives on cells of certain tumors.

Bikaverin and its derivatives have been found to affect precursor utilization of nucleic acid and protein synthesis in the cells of Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC). Mainly the uridine incorporation into EAC cells was inhibited. This is in agreement with the known concept that anthraquinones, to which bikaverin may also be assigned, intervene into RNA synthesis. The substances followed exerted a cytotoxic effect on in vitro proliferating cells of the three studied tumors. The ED50 values found for cells of these tumors were: EAC 0.5 mug/ml; leukemia L 5178 1.4 mug/ml; sarcoma 37 4.2 mug/ml.