This invention relates to combination chemotherapy, particularly involving
vitamin D or a derivative thereof hi one aspect, the invention provides a
method of killing a cell by first administering to the cell vitamin D (or
a derivative) and subsequently administering to the cell a cytotoxic
agent. Where this strategy is applied to an intact tumor, the present
invention provides a method of retarding the growth of the tumor by first
administering vitamin D (or a derivative) to the tumor and subsequently
administering the cytotoxic agent. A further aspect of the invention
concerns a method of treating prostate cancer within a patient by
co-administration of vitamin D (or a derivative) and a glucocorticoid to
the patient. In yet a further aspect, the invention provides an improved
method of treating a patient with vitamin-D involving the adjunctive
administration of zoledronate.