Neuronal cell differentiation of human neuroblastoma cells by inducing agents in combination.

The antineoplastic drug 4'-iodo-4'-deoxydoxorubicin (IDX), a new halogenated anthracycline (1), was examined as a differentiation inducing agent on the human neuroblastoma cell lines TS12 and SK-N-MC. IDX induced morphological and biochemical differentiation and growth inhibition. The effect of a combined treatment of IDX with retinoic acid (RA) and with nerve growth factor (NGF) respectively was then investigated. The responses of neuroblastoma cells to IDX alone and to these combined treatments were compared, with respect to neuritic outgrowth, acetylcholinesterase activity and cellular growth. The data obtained indicate that the combination of differentiation-inducing drugs may be able to enhance the effects of the same drugs given alone.