Summary Limonene, a monocyclic monoterpene, occurs naturally in orange peel oil. It has been shown to exhibit both chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic activity without toxicity in rodent models. In this study we examined the effect of limonene both at maximally optimal and suboptimal doses and in combination with suboptimal doses of 4-hydroxyandrostrenedione on nitrosmethylurea-induced rat mammary tumours. A 10% limonene dose mixed in the diet caused tumour regression in all animals. A 5% limonene dose was only able to cause regression in 50% of the rats (P <0.05). A suboptimal dose of 4-hydroxyandrostrenedione (12.5mgkg 1) resulted in tumour re ression in 75% of rats. A combination of 5% limonene with 4-hydroxyandrostrenedione (12.5mgkg-) resulted in a greater tumour regression (83.3%) than either agent given individually (P <0.001 and 0.006 for limonene/4-hydroxyandrostrenedione vs limonene alone and 4-hydroxyandrostrenedione alone respectively).

The anti-tumour effect of EB 1089, a novel vitamin D analogue with reduced calcaemic activity, was examined in vivo using the N-methyl-nitrosourea-induced rat mammary tumour model. The vitamin D compound was given orally at a dose of 1 pg/kg body weight alone and in combination with tamoxifen (1 mg/kg). Effects were compared with oral tamoxifen treatment alone. EB 1089 significantly inhibited tumour progression compared with controls with a response rate of 58% and a regression rate of 92% As expected, tamoxifen at the dose given also caused significant inhibition of tumour progression with a response rate of 73%. Combination of these two compounds did not lead to a marked increase in their effectiveness. Histological examination of tumours from EB 1089-treated rats showed a marked reduction in cellularity and mitotic activity.At the dose given, EB 1089 produced a significant rise in serum calcium concentration and urinary calcium excretion. Tamoxifen treatment alone did not significantly alter serum calcium levels. However, combined treatment with tamoxifen and EB 1089 led to a significant reduction in hypercalcaemia compared with EB 1089 alone. It is suggested that vitamin D analogues with reduced calcaemic activity may provide a new therapeutic strategy for certain malignancies, either alone or in combination with established treatment regimens.