In vitro effect of doxorubicin on non-proliferating and proliferating epithelial cells.

In vitro cultured mouse kidney epithelial cells were exposed for 2 hr to 0.5 microgram/ml of Doxorubicin. The proliferative activity of the cells was determined by combined DNA and total nuclear protein measurements. The sensitivity of the cells to the drug was higher in proliferating cells as compared to non-proliferating ones, that is, those exhibiting low amounts of total nuclear protein per unit DNA.