Solid tumor models for the assessment of different treatment modalities: VIII. The scheduling of treatment for a...

Single, large doses of adriamycin, cyclophosphamide and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) have been compared to the same amount of drug given in divided doses daily over a 3 or 5 day period in a solid tumor model which metastasizes to the regional lymph nodes and lungs. No significant increase in life expectancy occurred following adriamycin or cyclophosphamide. However, a significant reduction in life expectancy occurred after 5 fractionated doses of 5-FU but not after the large single dose. The increase in mortality following fractionated doses of 5-FU is attributed to the prolongation of the onset of recovery of bone marrow. Tumor volume reduction following a single dose of each agent was equal to or greater than the fractionated doses. The results of these studies on this chemotherapeutically resistant solid tumor indicate that small daily fractionated doses of adriamycin, cyclophosphamide or 5-FU result in increased morbidity and mortality without therapeutic benefit in tumor control. The time sequence of recovery of the limiting organ of the host (i.e., bone marrow) is similar to the time sequence of recovery of the tumor. Large intermittent single doses of chemotherapeutic agents given following recovery of the host from a previous treatment would be expected to be less toxic to the host and equally effective in control of tumor growth. None of the 3 chemotherapeutic agents was successful in tumor eradication. Previous studies of this series have shown that the utilization of sequential chemotherapy combined with radiotherapy can be successfully used for eradication of another solid tumor which did not metastasize. A similar therapeutic strategy using sequential combined modality therapy should also be effective in the control of the primary H-4-II-E tumor as well as its metastatic dissemination. Information gained from these experimental studies should eventually provide information which should be helpful in the clinical management of chemotherapeutically resistant solid tumors in man.