title: The lack of correlation between toxicity and free radical formation of two diaziridinyl benzoquinones.
abstract: L1210 and K562 leukaemic cells have been used to study the relationship between cytotoxicity and free radical production by two aziridinyl benzoquinones, 2,5-bis(carboethoxyamino)3,6-diaziridinyl-1,4-benzoquinone (AZQ) and 2,5-bis(2-hydroxyethylamino)-3,6-diaziridinyl-1,4-benzoquinone (BZQ). BZQ showed a high level of toxicity in both cell lines, but no ESR signal was detectable, while AZQ readily produced an ESR signal but much lower cytotoxicity was observed, particularly in L1210 cells. The rate of superoxide formation was measured for each drug. The results demonstrate that cell killing and free radical production do not necessarily concur.
authors.affiliation: Paterson Institute for Cancer Research, Christie Hospital, Holt Radium Institute, Manchester, U.K.
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Lea
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Garner
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Butler
authors.forename: B M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Hoey
authors.forename: T H
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Ward
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001388:Aziridines / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001389:Azirines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016227:Benzoquinones; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D005609:Free Radicals; D011809:Quinones; D013481:Superoxides / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001388:Aziridines; D001389:Azirines; D016227:Benzoquinones; D005609:Free Radicals; D011809:Quinones; D013481:Superoxides; C025232:semiquinone radicals; C045315:NSC 224070; C029108:diaziquone