Ultrastructural alterations of normal blood cells and leukemic lymphoblasts incubated with vindesine

The effect of one of the vinca alkaloids derivatives, vindesine (VDS), on the ultrastructure of normal peripheral blood cells and leukemic lymphoblasts was examined in vitro. The drug caused an increase in the size of polymorphonuclear specific granules, but exerted no effect on the internal ultrastructure of control lymphocytes platelets, or leukemic lymphoblasts. However, the surface ultrastructure of all cell types examined showed alterations which were dose-dependent. The question whether the lack of internal impairment in the presence of membral alterations may be due to the relatively short exposure time to the drug is discussed.