Effect of pepleomycin on peripheral lymphocytes

The blood lymphocyte population was monitored in 6 patients with advanced malignant tumors who were treated with large doses of a new cytotoxic drug termed pepleomycin. It was observed that the size of the cell population, its cellular composition, mitogen stimulations and natural killer activity did not change in any consistent ways during or after treatment. It is concluded that pepleomycin does not directly affect the lymphocytic population.