Permeation of cyclophosphamide (NSC-26271) metabolites into tumor cells.

The permeation kinetics of cyclophosphamide and its metabolites were studied with Ehrlich ascites tumor cells, murine L1210 leukemia cells, and mouse L929 fibroblasts at 1 degrees C. In contrast to carboxyphosphamide and nor-nitrogen mustard, an equipartition of cyclophosphamide and 4-hydroperoxycyclophosphamide was observed in these cells. First experiments have been done to study the efflux of cyclophosphamide and 4-hydroperoxycyclophosphamide after incubation until saturation with Ehrlich ascites tumor cells. Cyclophosphamide could be washed out completely, whereas, 4-hydroperoxyclophosphamide shows an apparent retention in the cell at 37 degrees C.