Chemosensitization in vitro: potentiation of melphalan toxicity by misonidazole, metronidazole and nitrofurazone.
Misonidazole, metronidazole and nitrofurazone can enhance the cytotoxicity of melphalan in vitro if the cells are subjected to a hypoxic pretreatment with the drug prior to exposure of melphalan in air. Potentiation of melphalan is dependent upon the concentrations of the nitro compound and the duration of the hypoxic pretreatment. On a concentration basis, nitrofurazone was most effective at enhancing melphalan toxicity and metronidazole was the least effective. This potentiating activity correlates with the electron affinity of each drug.
D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006224:Cricetinae; D003412:Cricetulus; D004357:Drug Synergism; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000503:physiopathology; D008558:Melphalan / Q000633:toxicity*; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000494:pharmacology; D008920:Misonidazole / Q000494:pharmacology; D009374:Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000188:drug therapy; D009583:Nitrofurazone / Q000494:pharmacology; D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*
D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents; D008795:Metronidazole; D008920:Misonidazole; D008558:Melphalan; D009583:Nitrofurazone