Amino-(L) or ethylenediamine-(L') beta- or gamma-cyclodextrins, NH2-beta-CyD, beta-CyDen, NH2-beta-CyD, and gamma-CyDen, have been synthesized and their platinum complexes, [PtCl2(NH3)(NH2-CyD)], [PtCl2(beta-CyDen)], [PtCl2(NH3)(NH2-gamma-CyD)], and [PtCl2(gamma-CyDen)] have been prepared. The complexes were characterized by elemental analysis and NMR spectroscopy. The screening test for antitumor activity of these compounds against P388 in vivo showed only very marginal activity. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.