Miltefosine decreases the cytotoxic effect of epirubicine and cyclophosphamide on mouse spermatogenic, thymic and bone marrow cells.

A new class of potent anticancer drugs, alkylphosphocholines has been recognized lately. Miltefosine (Hexadecylphosphochlorine, HPC) has been found to express select antineoplastic effect on human breast cancer skin metastases with simultaneous preservation of bone marrow proliferative activity and low clastogenicity. In the current study, we present data about the specific effect of two widely used cytostatics Cyclophosphamide (CP) and Epirubicine (ERb) applied separately or in combination with Miltefosine. C57BL6 mice were treated per os or intraperitonieally in doses corresponding to that in clinical use. Morphological, autoradiographic, ultrastructural and cytogenetic studies on spermatogenic, thymic and bone marrow cells were performed. It is found that compared with separate application, combinations of ERb or CP with Miltefosine slightly decreases spermatogonial proliferation and exerts milder effect on the structure of germinal and thymic cells. In addition, a lot of plasmocytes showed signs of active protein (antibody) synthesis. A significant reduction of aberrant chromosomes (clastogenicity) without changes in proliferative activity of bone marrow cells were recorded. In conclusion, the combine application of Miltefosine with ERb and CP decreased the destructive cytotoxic effects of ERb and CP on mouse spermatogenic and hematopoietic cells.