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Correlation of Cytotoxicity and Mitotic Spindle Dissolution by Vinblastine in Mammalian Cells¹

Department of Biochemistry, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland 20014 [R. W. T.], and the Oncology Center, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205 [R. J. O., S. B. H.]

In two hamster cell lines that differed 100-fold in their vinblastine sensitivity, dissolution of the mitotic spindle by vinblastine in living cells correlated with cytotoxicity from vinblastine expressed as suppression of colony formation. The effect on the spindle apparatus occurred in 30 sec or less and thus provides a rapid assay for determining the cytotoxic effects of the Vinca alkaloids, as well as the potential for quantitative assay of solutions of Vinca derivatives.

¹ This research was supported in part by National Cancer Institute Grant CA 16157-02.

² To whom requests for reprints should be addressed, at Sidney Farber Cancer Institute, 44 Binney Street, Boston, Mass. 02115.

Received 7/25/77. Accepted 8/23/77.