[Cytogenetic effect of the antineoplastic anthracycline antibiotic 4'-epidoxorubicin]

Cytogenetic action of 4'-epidoxorubicin (farmorubicin), an antitumor antibiotic was studied with using rat bone marrow cells. It was shown that after intraperitoneal administration the antibiotic increased the number of the aberrant metaphases when the dose was not lower than that equivalent to 1/30 of the LD50. The number of the aberrant metaphases increased with increasing of the antibiotic dose. The maximum number of the cells with impaired chromosomal apparatus was observed 6 hours after the antibiotic administration. In 72 hours it decreased to the level of spontaneous mutations in myelocariocytes. Cytogenetic activity of 4'-epidoxorubicin was comparable to that of doxorubicin (adriablastin) widely used in medical practice.