TUMOR-NECROSIS-FACTOR ENHANCES THE THERAPEUTIC EFFECT OF MITOXANTRONEIN HUMAN OVARIAN-CANCER XENOGRAFT

The combination of Tumour Necrosis Factor (TNF) and mitoxantrone was e valuated for potential chemotherapeutic effect against a human ovarian cancer cell line A2774 heterotransplanted in female nude mice. Both a ntitumour efficacy (relative survival and reduction of ascites) and to xicity (weight loss and liver toxicity) of TNF alone, mitoxantrone alo ne or TNF + mitoxantrone were evaluated. A significative difference (P < 0.002) was observed only among animals bearing tumours treated with mitoxantrone (0.012 mg/Kg) + TNF (5 x 10(5) U/Kg) and controls. No cy totoxic effects were observed for this combination. These observations provide a rationale for further evaluation of TNF + mitoxantrone base d regimes for the treatment of recurrent ovarian cancer. (C) 1996 Acad emic Press Limited