Effects of benzohydroxamic acids on L1210 lymphoid leukemia cell nucleic acid metabolism

The mono- and di-methoxy substituted benzohydroxamic acids proved to be pot ent antineoplastic/cytotoxic agents effectively suppressing growth in suspe nded tumor cells and demonstrated some selectivity against certain human ca rcinomas. These methoxy derivatives inhibited L1210 DNA and protein synthes es. They were metabolic inhibitors of the activities of regulatory enzymes of de novo purine and pyrimidine syntheses in L1210 lymphocytic leukemia ce lls after 60 min at 100 mu M. Ribonucleoside reductase, dihydrofolate reduc tase and DNA polymerase a activities were also moderately suppressed by the se agents which would add to the overall reduction of DNA synthesis as well as tumor cell growth.