Methods for using macrocyclic lactone compounds such as milbemycin and avermectin in combination with chemotherapeutic agents in tumor and other cells

摘要

Described are methods for increasing the toxicity of a cytostatic hydrophobic chemotherapeutic agent against resistant tumor cells by administering a multidrug resistant reversing agent. The multidrug resistant reversing agent is a macrocyclic lactone compound. Examples of the macrocyclic lactone compounds include the LL-F28249 alpha - lambda series of compounds, the 23-oxo or 23-imino derivative thereof, the avermectins, the 22,23-dihydro derivatives thereof and the milbemycins. Compositions comprising the macrocyclic lactone compounds and the chemotherapeutic agents are also described herein.