[Taxotere and methylnitrosourea: experimental appraisal of combination chemotherapy]

The effectiveness of taxotere and methylnitrosourea (MNU) combined application against murine P388 leukemia has been studied. Antitumor drugs were administered separately or in combination in doses of 50, 60 or 70 mg/kg per day, i/p, beginning from day 1 after tumor transplantation. Combined administration was shown to potentiate antitumor effect, which also largely depended on schedule. Survival increase varied within 50-130% of control values. Optimal effect was observed with the following schedules: taxotere + MNU, 24-hour interval between injections, and MNU-taxotere, 4-day interval between injections. Synergism was in evidence since the therapeutic effect of combination treatment was significantly higher than that of either drug administered alone.