Combined treatment of 4'-epi-doxorubicin and radiation on hamster lung cells

The purpose of this study was to test the type and the degree of cytotoxic effects of epirubicin and radiation in combined treatment on Chinese hamster lung cells in vitro. Experiments were performed with proliferating tissue culture cells. Cell kill was determined by colony-forming ability. The maximum killing effects were obtained when simultaneous action of drug treatment and irradiation occurred. Their interaction was synergistic. Synergism depended on time of drug incubation (epirubicin present for 1 h). Slight antagonism was noted after prolonged drug action (24 h).