Cytostatic active methylhydrazine derivatives split off formaldehyde after mild dehydrogenation with potassium hexacyanoferrate (III). It is suggested that the primary formedazomethines andN-hydroxymethylderivatives participate in cytostatic efficacy by their alkylating ability (aminomethylation). Formaldehyde alone and its condensation products with hydrogen peroxide especially bis-hydroxymethylperoxide may exert cytostatic effects too.