Fluorouracil (5-FU) and cytarabine (ara-C) inhibition of corneal epithelial cell and conjunctival fibroblast proliferation
K. S. Mallick, A. S. Hajek and R. K. Parrish 2nd
We evaluated the antiproliferative properties of fluorouracil (5-FU) and
cytarabine (ara-C) in a tissue culture model of rabbit corneal epithelial
cells and conjunctival fibroblasts. Cells were treated with fluorouracil or
cytarabine for five days. Corneal epithelial cell proliferation was
inhibited to 50% of control proliferation by 0.6 mg/L of fluorouracil or 30
micrograms/L of cytarabine. Proliferation of conjunctival fibroblasts was
inhibited to 50% of control by 0.5 mg/L of fluorouracil or 50 micrograms/L
of cytarabine. The antiproliferative effect of 10 mg/L of fluorouracil was
not blocked by thymidine. The inhibition of proliferation produced by 100
or 1,000 micrograms/L of cytarabine was blocked by 2'-deoxycytidine at
concentrations of 10(-5) M and 10(-4) M, respectively. The
antiproliferative effects of fluorouracil and cytarabine appear similar for
both cell types. Blockage of cytarabine-related ocular toxic effects may be
possible with 2'-deoxycytidine.
