The effect of cytostatic hexitol derivatives on haematopoietic stem cells, the L1210 leukaemia and C22LR osteosarcoma

Abstract In a comparative study the effect of six hexitol derivatives, mannitol mustard, dibromomannitol, dianhydromannitol, dibromodulcitol, dianhydrodulcitol and dimesyldianhydroiditol (DMDAI) on haematopoietic stem cells was studied by the spleen colony technique. All drugs investigated, except DMDAI, have a low ratio of effectiveness on resting compared to rapidly-proliferating stem cells. In the L 1210 system, the drugs have less effect on the leukaemic cells than on the rapidly-proliferating haematopoietic stem cells. In the C22LR osteosarcoma solid tumour system, the hexitol derivatives present a moderate or strong antitumour activity. Among the drugs studied, DMDAI deserves special attention, because of its sparing effect on resting haematopoietic stem cells.