title: Combination of anticancer agents with folic acid in the treatment of murine leukaemia P388.
abstract: Folic acid (FA) was combined with anticancer agents such as (i) antimetabolites like methotrexate (MTX), 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), arabinosyl cytosine (Ara-C) and 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP); (ii) plant-derived mitotic inhibitor, vincristine (VCR), and (iii) an antibiotic, mitomycin C (Mit-C). This combination modality was used for the treatment of P388 lymphocytic leukaemia. Large doses of FA were administered to the tumour-bearing mice either prior to or simultaneously with different anticancer agents. Pre-treatment with FA significantly improved the therapeutic efficacy of 5-FU, Ara-C and Mit-C; while MTX was more effective when given simultaneously with FA. The efficacy of 6-MP and VCR was not enhanced by FA when tested similarly. Large doses of FA can potentiate the activity of certain anticancer agents when administered to P388-bearing mice at critical times that vary according to the particular drug used.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003561:Cytarabine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D004357:Drug Synergism; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000633:toxicity*; D007941:Leukemia P388 / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007942:Leukemia, Experimental / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D051379:Mice; D008937:Mitomycins / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D008937:Mitomycins; D003561:Cytarabine; D005492:Folic Acid; D005472:Fluorouracil; D008727:Methotrexate