EFFECT OF A 17-MEMBER AZALIDE ON TUMOR-CELL GROWTH

The action of the 17-member azalide -deoxo-20-(di-N-benzylamino)-8a-az a-8a-homotylosin was examined in vitro using five different human cell lines: laryngeal carcinoma (Hep2), pancreatic carcinoma (MiaPaCa2), b reast carcinoma (MCF7), neuroblastoma, and normal diploid fibroblast ( Hef522). After exposure, the cell growth was arrested, and morphologic al changes occurred in a dose-dependent manner. At a concentration of 10(-4) M the azalide completely inhibited the growth of all cell lines examined and induced morphological changes such as cell shrinkage, ch romatin condensation, and DNA fragmentation. These features point to a poptosis.