Synergistic antileukemic effect of theophylline and 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea.

A series of experiments evaluated the antileukemic effect of an agent which elevates cellular cyclic adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate levels by phosphate levels by inhibiting phosphodiesterase. When administered alone, theophylline had only modest antileukemic effects, but it had synergistic effects when administered with 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea. This synergism produced an improved therapeutic index in a dose-response study and in a comparison between antileukemic effects and effects on white blood cell nadirs. Uptake of 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea and studies of timing of treatment support the hypothesis that elevation of cyclic adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate levels is the mechanism of the observed synergistic effect.