Effect of hydrolyzed formaldehyde-treated RNA on neoplastic and normal human cells

Alkaline hydrolysate of dialyzed formaldehyde-treated RNA, in which 39% of purine nucleotides are modified to methylene bis derivatives (R-CH2-R'), displays cytotoxic activity toward cultured human tumor cells. The alkaline hydrolysate of dialyzed formaldehyde-treated RNA is substantially less toxic to normal human embryonic cells. There is a correlation between the cytotoxic effect and cell growth rate, which has been traced by quantitative tests.