Effect of polar-planar compounds on the differentiation of normal human myeloid immature marrow cells.

Polar-planar compounds which are potent differentiating agents, have been reported to enhance the response of friend erythroleukaemic cells and other malignant cell lines to mitomycin C, cis-platinum and radiation. With the upcoming of phase II clinical trials of these polar compounds alone and in combination with cytotoxic agents, the effect of 3 polar compounds: dimethylsulphoxide, dimethylformamide and hexamethylene bisacetamide on the differentiation of normal human myeloid immature marrow cells was studied. The results showed that a long-term exposure to these polar compounds may lead to a premature senescence of these marrow progenitors.