Single versus combination chemotherapy of L1210 leukemia

Thirteen anticancer agents, ten dual-agent combinations and five three-drug combinations were tested for treatment of L1210 leukemia in dBA/2-J mice. Data obtained form each three-drug regimen were compared with those obtained after administration of each drug alone and each two-drug combination. Cure (greater than 60 days survival) was observed in most of animals treated with VP-16 213 and VM-26. Certain regimens produced 90-100% cure rates (cyclophosphamide plus VP-16 213 or cytosine arabinoside). Inclusion of second or third agent in the treatment schedules produced improvement, deterioration or no effect on median survival time and cure rates, depending on the choice and sequences of evaluated agents. Eighty per cent of mice inoculated even with 10(7) L1210 can be cured by administration of modified schedule of VP-16 213 plus cyclophosphamide.