title: In vitro synergistic activity of PDN-IFN alpha and NM + IFN alpha combinations on fresh bone-marrow samples from multiple myeloma patients.
abstract: The differential staining cytotoxicity (DiSC) assay was used to evaluate the in vitro sensitivity of tumour and normal bone-marrow cells from 21 multiple myeloma (MM) patients to antitumour agents methylprednisolone (PDN), nitrogen mustard (NM) and recombinant interferon alpha-2b (IFN alpha) tested singly and in the combinations PDN + IFN alpha and NM + IFN alpha. Both the PDN-IFN alpha and NM-IFN alpha associations were more efficacious than any agents used singly in reducing the percentage of myeloma cell survival. However, whereas NM, alone and in combination with IFN alpha, provoked a severe reduction in normal bone-marrow population, PDN and PDN + IFN alpha induced an increase percentage survival of normal bone-marrow cells. These findings indicate that, at least in vitro, the PDN-IFN alpha combination exerts a great antitumor effect which is not associated with a relevant cytotoxic activity on normal myeloid cells.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medical Pharmacology, Perugia University, Italy.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lepri
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Barzi
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Menconi
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Portuesi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Liberati
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D004357:Drug Synergism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male; D008466:Mechlorethamine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008875:Middle Aged; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
chemical_list: D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D008466:Mechlorethamine; D008775:Methylprednisolone