5-Nitrofuran derivatives of fatty acid hydrazides induce differentiation in human myeloid leukaemic cell lines

Compounds formed by 5-nitrofuran with hydrazides of formic, acetic and propionic acids, hereafter respectively known as SBF, SBA and SBP have been used to evaluate the differentiation-inducing properties on two established myeloid leukaemic cell lines ML-2 and EOL-1. SBP is found to be the most effective as an antineoplastic agent amongst the three. Induction of differentiation observed are in the order SBP > SBA > SBF, as assessed by morphology, NBT-reducing activity and surface marker antigens of the treated cells. Induction of differentiation of ML-2 and EOL-1 cells by the most effective compound, SBP (3μM), is accompanied by perturbation of the cell cycle, with most of the cells accumulating in the G0–G1, phase. Inhibition of DNA synthesis occurs while protein and RNA synthesis remain practically unchanged.