[Antitumor effects of polyamine antimetabolites with polyamine-free diet].

To evaluate the antitumor efficacy of polyamine antimetabolites such as methylglyoxal-bis-guanylhydrazone (MGBG), ethylglyoxal-bis-guanylhydrazone (EGBG), and alpha-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), the combined therapies of polyamine antimetabolites with a polyamine-free diet were studied. The combination of EGBG plus DFMO or MGBG plus DFMO showed a marked suppression of tumor growth with a polyamine-free diet; and, when compared, EGBG was slightly superior to MGBG. The inhibition of DNA biosynthesis was also parallel to the above-mentioned results. Furthermore, from an analysis for polyamine levels in tumor tissues, it was confirmed that the polyamine depletion can be maintained by polyamine antimetabolites in combination with a polyamine-free diet in vivo. Moreover, as EGBG has lesser side effects than MGBG, EGBG might be more suitable for clinical use.