[Cyclophosphamide-induced apoptosis of murine lymphosarcoma cells in vivo]

The antitumor action of combination chemotherapy (cyclophosphamide + adriamycin + vincristin + prednisolone) for transplantable nitrosomethylurea-induced lymphosarcoma was studied in male CBA mice. Single injections of the mixture were followed by complete regression of tumors of up to 2 cm in diameter. The effect was shown to be caused by cyclophosphamide (CP) alone, by inducing apoptosis. The other components failed to potentiate the CD effect. Being useless, they are likely to cause harm by contributing to the overall toxic effect of therapy. The nature and duration of CP-induced remission appeared dose-dependent: on day 50 of the administration of 50, 100 and 150 mg/kg body, tumors were detected in 100, 55 and 0% of the animals, respectively. Such means of apoptosis induction as glycocorticoid treatment and ionizing radiation did not cause complete regression.