Synthesizing activity and ultrastructural findings of human blood cells after incubation with cis-platinum "in vitro".

The synthesizing activity and ultrastructural appearance of human polymorphonuclears, lymphocytes and platelets obtained from healthy donors were examined after incubation with cis-platinum (cis-Pt). The drug caused a statistically significant inhibition of DNA, RNA and protein synthesis of the lymphocytes, but their ultrastructure appeared unchanged. On the other hand, incubation of polymorphonuclears with cis-Pt did not affect their protein synthesis but caused a decrease in the number of cytoplasmic granules, mitochondrial alterations, and appearance of membrane ruffles. The drug induced neither inhibition of platelet protein synthesis, nor ultrastructural alterations. The selective effect of this drug on the synthesizing activities of human lymphocytes may be of potential value in the treatment of lymphoproliferative and immunological disorders in man.