Cytotoxic and cytokinetic effects of 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine, daunorubicin, and 6-thioguanine on HeLa cells in culture.

Overview

Exponentially growing HeLa cells were exposed to 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine, daunorubicin, and 6-thioguanine singly and in combination for 21 hr. Survivals were determined by a colony-counting assay, and cytokinetic effects of the drugs were evaluated by flow cytometry. When used in two-drug combinations (concurrent exposures). 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine was found to protect cells against both 6-thioguanine- and daunorubicin-induced lethality, the former to a greater extent than the latter. Protection against 6-thioguanine appeared to be related to the degree of inhibition of DNA synthesis by 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine, but this was not the case with daunorubicin. When cells were exposed to the three drugs simultaneously, survivals were in agreement with those predicted from the various two-drug combinations. This implies that no additional drug interactions occurred when a third drug was added to the two-drug combinations.