ENHANCEMENT OF ANTITUMOR PROPERTY OF RETINOIDS BY ALPHA-DIFLUOROMETHYL-ORNITHINE IN EXPERIMENTAL MALIGNANCY

alpha-Difluoromethyl-ornithine (DFMO)- an inhibitor of ornithine decar boxylase (ODC), depletes cellular polyamine levels which is significan tly correlated to neoplastic transformation. DFMO has been used to mod ulate the growth rate of ascitic Ehrlich carcinoma in mice and its com bined action with retinol which itself is known to have anticancer pro perties, has been studied. The therapeutic efficacy has been estimated by measurement of blood polyamine levels and ODC activity. Significan t changes were also observed in the survival of the treated groups of animals. Antitumor property of retinol is greatly enhanced as a result of this adjuvant therapy.