Vitamin E increases the growth inhibitory and differentiating effects of tumor therapeutic agents on neuroblastoma and glioma cells in culture.

Abstract

SummaryThe effects of vitamin E in combination with several pharmacological agents on neuroblastoma (NBP2) and glioma (C-6) cells in culture for the criteria of growth inhibition (due to cell death and reduction of cell division) and morphological changes were studied. Vitamin E in combination with 5-FU, adriamycin, R020-1724, vincristine, sodium butyrate, chlorozotocin, or PGE1 produced a synergistic effect on growth inhibition of NB cells, whereas, vitamin E in combination with bleomycin, CCNU, DTIC, mutamycin, or cis-platinum produced an additive effect for the same criterion. In glioma cell culture, vitamin E in combination with vincristine, R020-1724, and CCNU produced a synergistic effect on growth inhibition; whereas, vitamin E in combination with bleomycin, 5-FU, adriamycin, DTIC, papaverine, mutamycin, and cis-platinum produced an additive effect for the same criterion. Vitamin E failed to enhance the effect of sodium butyrate, PGE1, chlorozotocin on glioma cells. Bleomycin, CCNU, chlorozotocin, ...