Differences in Transport Characteristics and Cytotoxicity of Epirubicin and Doxorubicin in HepG2 and A549 Cells.

Background/aim: Epirubicin (EPI), an epimer of doxorubicin (DOX), and DOX are anthracycline agents with broad-spectrum antitumor activity. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the transport characteristics of EPI and DOX in human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells and human non-small cell lung cancer A549 cells, and to examine the relationship of intracellular drug accumulation with their cytotoxic effects.

Materials And Methods: Intracellular concentrations of EPI and DOX were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).