Aranciamycin (1), an anthracycline antibiotic, was found to be an inhibitor of Clostridium histolyticum collagenase, with an IC50 = 3.7 x 10(-7) M. Elastase and trypsin were not inhibited at concentrations less than or equal to 10(-5) M. A number of aranciamycin derivatives 2-13 were prepared and tested for collagenase inhibition. While loss of activity was found for derivatives modified in the sugar ring or rings B and D of the aglycone, increased potency was found when the tertiary alcohol at C-9 was esterified. All compounds 1-13 were found to inhibit DNA synthesis of Yoshida sarcoma tumor cells.