Abstract Anthraquinones, monosubstituted by aminoalkylamino side chains at positions 1, 2 or disubstituted at positions 1, 5 or 1, 8 were prepared. Their in vitro cytotoxic activity (ED 50) was evaluated using: 1) P388 murine leukemia cells and 2) a subline of these cells resistant to doxorubicin (P388/ADR).