title: Enhancement of the antitumor effect of 6-mercaptopurine by vitamin A.
abstract: The inhibition of the growth of 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 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 was found to enhance the antitumor effect of 6-mercaptopurine against murine L1210 leukemia to a significant extent (69% increase in life span).
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002455:Cell Division; D004357:Drug Synergism; D006367:HeLa Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007939:Leukemia L1210 / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D015122:Mercaptopurine / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051379:Mice; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D014801:Vitamin A; D015122:Mercaptopurine