title: Synergistic inhibitory effects of interferon-alpha and 5-fluorouracil in meningioma cells in vitro.
abstract: We have investigated the effects of interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) on meningioma cells in two different culture systems, evaluated by the uptake of radiolabelled methionine. With both IFN-alpha and 5-FU an inhibitory effect on the uptake of radiolabelled methionine by the meningioma cells was demonstrated, and we found a synergistic inhibitory effect with a combination of IFN-alpha and 5-FU. To obtain a maximal inhibition of cell metabolism without causing cell toxicity, we were able to decrease the dose of 5-FU by simultaneously adding IFN-alpha. Our results suggest that a combined treatment of IFN-alpha and 5-FU may be a successful alternative for patients with inoperable meningiomas. A novel in vitro positron emission tomography technique was used for the study of metabolic changes in tumour cells caused by drug treatment, which is complementary to conventional cell culture techniques.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University Hospital Uppsala, Sweden.
authors.forename: Z J
authors.initials: ZJ
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Muhr
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Smits
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002250:Carbon Radioisotopes; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D004357:Drug Synergism; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male; D008577:Meningeal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D008579:Meningioma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D008715:Methionine / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000188:drug therapy; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
chemical_list: D002250:Carbon Radioisotopes; D007370:Interferon Type I; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D008715:Methionine; D005472:Fluorouracil