The effect of antipurine and antifolic drugs on the oxygen uptake of mouse leukemia cells has been studied. The oxygen uptake of sensitive mouse leukemia cells was inhibited by both groups of drugs. The oxygen uptake of 6-mercaptopurine-resistant mouse leukemia cells was not inhibited by antipurines but was inhibited by antifolics. The oxygen uptake of amethopterin-resistant mouse leukemia cells was inhibited neither by antipurine nor antifolic drugs. These results correlate with the in vivo tests. In this system it is possible to predict the in vivo sensitivity of the leukemia from a study of the effect of antipurine and antifolic drugs on the oxygen uptake of the cells in vitro.

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