Virological identification of three subgroups of patients during extended treatment with zidovudine : K. Broadhurst, M. Lowdell, A. Ball, P. Levantis, G. E. Forster, B. T. Goh, B. Colvin, G. G. Jackson, J. S. Oxford (Academic Virology, Medical Microbiology, London Hospital Medical College, Turner Street, London E 2AD Tel. ++44 71 375 0345 Fax ++44 71 375 2597)

Abstract

Most of the gemcitabine (dFdC) resistant cell lines manifested high NFκB activity. The NFκB activity can be induced by dFdC and 5-FU exposure. The chemosensitizing effect of disulfiram (DS), an anti-alcoholism drug and NFκB inhibitor, and copper (Cu) on the chemoresistant cell lines was examined. The DS/Cu complex significantly enhanced the cytotoxicity of dFdC (resistant cells: 12.2–1085-fold) and completely reversed the dFdC resistance in the resitant cell lines. The dFdC-induced NFκB activity was markedly inhibited by DS/Cu complex. The data from this study indicated that DS may be used in clinic to improve the therapeutic effect of dFdC in breast and colon cancer patients.