SYNERGISTIC INHIBITORY EFFECTS OF INTERFERON-ALPHA AND 5-FLUOROURACILON MENINGIOMA CELLS IN-VITRO

We have investigated the effects of interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) and 5 -fluorouracil (5-FU) on meningioma cells in two different culture syst ems, evaluated by the uptake of radiolabelled methionine. With both IF N-alpha and 5-FU an inhibitory effect on the uptake of radiolabelled m ethionine by the meningioma cells was demonstrated, and we found a syn ergistic inhibitory effect with a combination of IFN-alpha and 5-FU. T o 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 inop erable meningiomas. A novel in vitro positron emission tomography tech nique was used for the study of metabolic changes in tumour cells caus ed by drug treatment, which is complementary to conventional cell cult ure techniques.