In vitro evaluation of cellular inhibitory potential of various antineoplastic drugs and dexamethasone.

We evaluated the in vitro cellular inhibitory rates of eight antineoplastic agents and dexamethasone for rabbit retinal pigment epithelial cells and rabbit corneal fibroblasts. Doxorubicin was the most effective chemotherapeutic agent to inhibit cellular proliferation (-90%). Compared to the controls, the percentage variation in cell number for single agents ranged from +26% to -90%. Chemotherapy drugs in combination also were evaluated and found to be not superior to the single agents. Cellular inhibitory rates for combination agents ranged from -34% to -72%. Dexamethasone in the concentrations used did not significantly inhibit or stimulate cellular proliferation.