Combination treatment with cisplatin and schizophyllan for 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene-induced rat ovarian adenocarcinoma

OBJECTIVE: Experimental chemotherapy was conducted to investigate the combined effect of Schizophyllan (SPG) and Cisplatin (CDDP). METHODS: Rats with 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA)-induced ovarian adenocarcinoma received SPG and/or CDDP, were observed for the anti-tumor effect of the drugs and were subjected to immunohistochemical study. RESULTS: 1) Tumor reduction was enhanced by the combined use of SPG and CDDP; 2) The survival rate of rats given SPG alone was significantly higher than that of the control rats, and treatment with SPG combined with CDDP tended to improve the survival rate; 3) Immunohistochemically, an infiltrative increase in cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTL) was induced, although the development of helper T-cells and macrophages was immunohistochemically weak at the tumor site. CONCLUSION: The administration of SPG enhanced the anti-tumor effect of CDDP.