Enhancement of adriamycin cytotoxicity by therapeutic ultrasound in vivo

Abstract

A report is presented on the enhancing effect of ultrasound upon adriamycin (Adr) antitumor action in vivo. RIF-1 tumors were insonated (F=1.733 MHz) 10 min after the intravenous injection of Adr (10 and 20 mu g/g). This resulted in an increase in the tumor doubling time and a decrease in the TCD/sub 50/ when compared to ultrasound treatment alone or to the combination of water-bath heating of the tumor and Adr. The enhancement was dependent upon the dose of Adr injected, the intensity of sonication, and the temperature of the tumor. The results suggest that nonthermal mechanisms of ultrasound action are responsible for potentiation of Adr toxicity. The lack of ultrasound enhancement of daunomycin cytotoxicity in vitro is discussed.<>