Beneficial effects of adriamycin on Wistar-Furth Wilms' tumor

The Wilms' tumor (Wistar-Furth, Columbia University) animal model kills the host in a predictable period of time, associated with widespread metastases (lungs, liver, spleen) regardless of the route of tumor transplantation. Actinomycin D in single or multiple doses has previously been shown to increase survival, reduce the primary tumor weight, as well as the number of metastases in this experimental model. The model thus has close similarity to man. The present report describes a remarkable effect of adriamycin in this animal system. The beneficial results are, however, limited by severe dose-related toxicity. Nevertheless, faced with recurrent or metastatic lesions following prior current conventional clinical therapy, based on the present experimental results, we believe adriamycin treatment should be given serious clinical consideration.