[Antileukemic activity of carminomycin complexes with a high-polymer DNA]

Complexes of carminomycin with DNA were prepared from lyophilized carminomycin and high polymer DNA of sturgeon milt. The complex formation was evident from a batochromic shift in the maxima at 450-600 nm and an increase in the absorption level at 545 nm. The carminomycin complexes with DNA had a relatively low general toxicity and higher antileukemic activity in studies on mice with tumor L-1210 as compared to the use of carminomycin alone. The maximum increase in the average life time of the animals was observed when a complex with a molar ratio of carminomycin and DNA of 1:10 (with respect to nucleotides) was used. It was found that the complex of carminomycin and DNA with a ratio of the components of 1:20 had a more pronounced effect on the animal hemopoiesis as compared to the use of carminomycin alone. It resulted in a more significant decrease in the number of the bone marrow myelokariocytes and peripheral blood erythrocytes and leukocytes.