Lethal activity and kinetic response of cultured human cells to 4'-(9-acridinylamino)methanesulfon-m-anisidine.

Cytotoxic and cytokinetic effects of 4'-(9-acridinylamino)methanesulfon-m-anisidine (m-AMSA) were studied on a cultured human colon carcinoma and on a human lymphoma (T1) cell line. Proliferating cells were more susceptible (10-fold) to the cytotoxic effect of m-AMSA than were nonproliferating cells. The agent had minimal effects on DNA synthesis. At comparable exposure doses on m-AMSA, the degree of lethal cell damage exceeded inhibition of DNA synthesis by 4-fold. Cells synchronized in different stages of the cell cycle were equally sensitive to the cytotoxic effects of the drug, although the major cytokinetic effect was a block in G2. A greater killing effect was obtained by fractionated delivery than by a comparable dose delivered at one. These results suggest that superior antitumor results may be achieved by adequately spaced low doses of m-AMSA in the treatment of sensitive human tumors.