DEPRESSION OF LYMPHOCYTE TRANSFORMATION BY DRUGS IN VITRO - EFFECTS OF A NEW IMMUNOSUPPRESSANT, CINANSERIN

Cinanserin, an antiserotonin agent with no bone marrow toxicity, has been evaluated in human lymphocyte cultures. Cinanserin, 7 × 10-5 M, inhibits phytohemagglutinin-stimulated protein and deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis by greater than 60%; 1.4 × 10-4 M is more than 90% inhibitory. At equivalent molar concentrations, Cinanserin is more active than azathioprine. When added late in culture, the drug is not effective. Other drugs have been evaluated by lymphocyte cultures, and their effects arc described. Cinanserin appears to be a promising immunosuppressive agent. © 1969 by The Williams and Wilkins Co.