Single and combination chemotherapy for primary murine bladder cancer

Single and combination chemotherapy was evaluated for antitumor activity against N-[4-(5 nitro 2 furyl) 2 thiazolyl] formamide (FANFT) induced bladder carcinoma in syngeneic mice. Two hundred and fifty C3H/He mice having ingested FANFT for 10 mth were randomly divided into groups of 30, and the following regimens initiated: cyclophosphamide (Cy), cis diam minedichloroplatinum (cis Pt-II), dactinomycin, adriamycin, Cy plus cis Pt-II, Cy plus 5 fluorouracil, and Cy plus adriamycin. The drugs were administered for 3 wk. Each regimen was capable of producing a significant reduction in the mean bladder weight (MBW) when compared to a group not receiving therapy (108.3 mg). Adriamycin (MBW = 69.5), dactinomycin (49.6), and cyclophosphamide (42.9) were the best single agents, but the greatest inhibition of tumor growth was achieved by the combination of cyclophosphamide with 5 fluorouracil (38.3) or adriamycin (37.3). These combination chemotherapeutic regimens were able to effect a significant reduction in the number of bladders with Stage C tumors. It is hoped that information gained from this new animal model which allows evaluation of many antitumor drugs within a relatively short period of time will lead to therapeutic trials in patients with locally advanced or metastatic bladder cancer.