ENHANCEMENT OF THE ANTI-TUMOR EFFECT OF 6-MERCAPTOPURINE BY VITAMIN-A

  • 1 January 1981
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 72  (5) , 742-746
Abstract
The inhibition of the growth of [human cervical carcinoma] HeLa cells in culture by 6-mercaptopurine was greatly enhanced in combination with retinol, retinal or retinol acetate, but not in combination with retinoic acid or retinol palmitate. The antitumor effect of retinol palmitate combined with 6-mercaptopurine was examined in BDF1 mice with [mouse] L1210 leukemia. The blood level of retinol, a strong potentiator of 6-mercaptopurine among vitamin A compounds, was increased in BDF1 mice after retinol palmitate injection. Retinol palmitate enhanced the antitumor effect of 6-mercaptopurine against murine L1210 leukemia to a significant extent (69% increase in life span).