Abstract
Background: Cordycepin requires the relatively toxic co-drug, deoxycoformycin, for full efficacy as an anti-cancer agent. We sought to improve cordycepin efficacy using other, less toxic co-drugs. Materials and Methods: We evaluated the ability of hydroxyurea (HU) to enhance the effects of cordycepin against MOLT-4 leukemia cells with the MTT cell viability assay. We determined the relationship of the combination drug treatment with CalcuSyn statistical analysis program according to the Chou-Talalay method. Results: HU (50 μg/ml) was found to reduce the IC50 of cordycepin from 100 μM to 0.3 μM, a reduction similar to that observed for deoxycoformycin. CalcuSyn analysis of the cordycepin/HU combination revealed the dose effect as synergistic. Further statistical analysis demonstrated a clear synergy between the two drugs at a range of dosages. Conclusion: HU was identified as a promising potential alternative for anti-cancer therapy with cordycepin, thus eliminating the need for the toxic deoxycoformycin.
Footnotes
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↵* Current address: Scott & White Hospital, Texas A&M Medical Research Building, 702 SW HK Dodgen Loop, Temple, TX 76504, U.S.A.
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↵# Current address: Department of Genetics, Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research, P.O. Box 760549, San Antonio, TX 78245, U.S.A.
- Received July 5, 2007.
- Accepted July 25, 2007.
- Copyright© 2007 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. John G. Delinassios), All rights reserved