5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine: preclinical studies in mice

5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine administered to normal mice repeatedly on daily schedule affects mainly the number of blood leukocytes and bone marrow myeloid cells. Using the cell-free extract from mouse spleen phosphorylated intermediates of 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine-3H have been isolated and kinetics of their formation both in vitro and in vivo in mouse spleen cells have been studied. The administration of the drug affects the synthesis of DNA in mouse spleen resulting in its initial depression followed later by the enhancement of thymidine uptake.