Characterization of histamine secretion induced by anthracyclines in rat peritoneal mast cells.

The histamine-releasing activity of three anthracyclines, adriamycin, daunomycin and epirubicin, has been tested on rat peritoneal mast cells. The three drugs induced a marked and dose-dependent histamine secretion, in a noncytotoxic manner. The release was not sustained by extracellular calcium but was largely dependent on intracellular stores of this cation. This function was blocked by extremes of temperature (0 and 45 degrees), was very rapid and virtually complete within 10 sec. Treatment of mast cells with theophylline or disodium cromoglycate significantly reduced the secretory response to anthracyclines. On the basis of these results it is clear that the stimulant effect of anthracyclines is a true exocytotic response and thus is very similar to that of the classic mast cell secretagogue, compound 48/80.