Cytotoxic effect of the association of BCNU with rhein or lonidamine on a human glioma cell line.

The effect of association of 1,3-bis-(2-chloroethyl)-l-nitrosourea (BCNU)- Rhein (RH) and BCNU-Lonidamine (LND) on the clonogenic activity of human glioma cells was evaluated. Both RH and LND modulate the lethal effect of BCNU regardless of the schedule of treatment. The analysis of the interactions, performed with the isbolar method according to Berembaum, demonstrates an additivity of the effects. The possible mechanisms as well as the implications for the design of brain tumor schedule treatment are discussed.