Cytotoxic effects of cladribine and tezacitabine toward HL-60.

The aim of the study was to determine the relation between the cytotoxic and cytostatic effects of tezacitabine and cladribine on a HL-60 cell line and the time of exposure of cells to these drugs. Cell viability and induction of apoptosis were assessed using flow cytometry methods. Apoptosis was confirmed by direct microscopic observation. Growth inhibition was examined by cell counting. After 24 h incubation tezacitabine was equally or less toxic compared to cladribine. However, toxicity of tezacitabine strongly rose after 48 h incubation leading to massive cell death at doses much lower than those of cladribine. Assessment of the effect of increased exposure time on the clinical efficacy of tezacitabine is indicated.