Post-replication repair of DNA in Chinese hamster cells treated with cis platinum (II) diamine dichloride. Enhancement of toxicity and chromosome damage by caffeine.

The anti-tumor agent cis platinum (II) diammine dichloride (cis Pt(II)) caused chromosomal abnormalities in Chinese hamster V79-379A cells. The time of appearance of these abnormalities suggested that they arise as a consequence of DNA synthesis on a damaged template. The yield and severity of chromosomal abnormalities was greatly enhanced by a non-toxic concentration of caffeine, and this enhancement was associated with a potentiation of cis Pt(II) induced cell death. These results suggest that damage to DNA which arises from cis Pt(II) treatment can be repaired in this cell line by a caffeine-sensitive post-replication repair process.