5'-Chloro-5'-deoxy arabinosylcytosine (Cl-araC) is a more lipophilic analog
of the clinically used drug - arabinosylcytosine (araC). The resistance to
ward the enzyme cytidine-deaminase action was described as an characteristi
c feature of this synthetic nucleoside. The kinetics of the Cl-araC transfo
rmation in acid and alkaline solutions was studied at various temperatures.
When compared with parent compound araC, the chlorine atom at the 5' posit
ion of the nucleoside sugar moiety increases the Cl-araC stability. The chl
orine atom stabilizing effect is higher in acidic conditions. Cl-araC incre
ased stability, antileukemic activity accompanied by higher lipophilicity c
onfirm the fact that Cl-araC belong among interesting compounds from the po
int of view of cancer chemotherapy.