5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and 5,10-methylene tetrahydrofolate (5,10-CH2FH4) as adjuvant therapy in an experimental rodent colon carcinoma model.
Eradication of micrometastases is the goal for adjuvant therapy following a radical surgical procedure for cancer. We report an experimental study with 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate (5,10-CH2FH4) modulation of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) cytotoxicity in adjuvant treatment. A colon adenocarcinoma cell suspension was inoculated intrahepatically in a rodent experimental model. Intravenous 5-FU (30 mg/kg) in combination with 5,10-CH2FH4 (15 mg/kg or 30 mg/kg) was administered after 1, 2, 3, 4 and 7 days. 5-FU alone reduced the tumor take to fifty percent compared to one hundred percent tumor take in control animals (p < 0.05), while 5-FU in combination with 5,10-CH2FH4 (regardless of folate-dose) eliminated tumor take (p < 0.0001). This makes 5,10-CH2FH4 a promising agent for modulation of 5-FU cytotoxicity in adjuvant cancer treatment.
Carlsson
G
G
Department of Surgery, Sahlgrenska University Hospital/Ostra, Göteborg, Sweden.
Hafström
L O
LO
Spears
C P
CP
Gustavsson
B
B
Larsson
P A
PA
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000818:Animals; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004357:Drug Synergism; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013763:Tetrahydrofolates / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D013763:Tetrahydrofolates; C013123:5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolic acid; D005472:Fluorouracil