[Cytotoxic effects of arsenic trioxide in combination with chemotherapeutic drugs on acute non-promyelocytic leukemia cells].
To provide experimental basis for extending the indications of arsenic trioxide (As(2)O(3)) in clinical application.



MTT assay was used to detect the cytotoxicity of As(2)O(3) in combination with daunorubicin (DNR), cytosine arabinoside (Ara-C), harringtonine (H) and vincristine (VCR) respectively on leukemic cells from 23 newly diagnosed cases with acute non-promyelocytic leukemia (ANPL) and 16 cases of relapsed, refractory ANPL.



(1) As(2)O(3) inhibited the growth of leukemic cells from both newly diagnosed or relapsed and refractory ANPL patients, and there was no statistical difference in cytotoxicity of the patients in the two groups [(12.6 +/-7.7 compared with 10.1 +/-6.2)%, P<0.05]. (2) There was no correlation between the cytotoxicities of As(2)O(3) and Ara-C, H or VCR (P<0.05), but a linear correlation between As(2)O(3)and DNR was found (r=0.432, P<0.05).(3) Additivity and synergism of the cytotoxicity was found in most of the ANPL patients when As(2)O(3) was combined with the four chemotherapy drugs and the combination of As(2)O(3) with DNR or VCR enhanced the cytotoxicity significantly (P<0.05).



The results indicate that As(2)O(3) might be used in treatment of newly diagnosed or relapsed and refractory ANPL patients;and the combination of As(2)O(3) with DNR or VCR may enhance its therapeutic efficacy.
Wei
Guo-qing
GQ
The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310003  China.
Zhang
Shao-lin
SL
Zou
Dian-bin
DB
Lin
Mao-fang
MF
D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077237:Arsenic Trioxide; D001152:Arsenicals / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002648:Child; D018432:Drug Resistance, Multiple; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007938:Leukemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010087:Oxides / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D001152:Arsenicals; D010087:Oxides; D000077237:Arsenic Trioxide