POLY-D-LYSINE ENHANCES THE GENOTOXICITY OF BLEOMYCIN IN CULTURED CHO CELLS

Cultured CHO cells were treated with the radiomimetic antitumor agent bleomycin (BLM) and post-treated with the polycationic compound poly-D -lysine (PDL), recently reported by us as able to potentiate chromosom e damage induced by X-rays and chemical mutagens in both plant and mam malian cells. Our results seem to indicate that PDL enhances the genot oxic action of BLM measured as induced chromosomal aberrations, colony -forming ability and DNA strand breakage. Taking into account the repo rted low efficiency of BLM treatment due to problems with cellular upt ake, enzymatic degradation and efficient repair, the possibility of op timizing the dose-effectiveness for cancer therapy is discussed.