Leucovorin augments the growth inhibitory effect of 5-fluoropyrimidines on neoplastic cells. The effect is paralleled by much higher levels of DNA fragmentation than in cells treated with 5-fluoropyrimidines alone at the same concentration. The lesions are induced by a mechanism independent of incorporation of the drug into DNA, in all probability due to reduced repair of DNA lesions induced independently of the drug treatment. Thymidine added after the treatment with fluoropyrimidines partly rescues the cells and reduces the level of DNA fragmentation.

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This work was supported by grants from the Stockholm Cancer Society and Karolinska Institute.

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©1988 American Association for Cancer Research.
1988
American Association for Cancer Research, Inc.