Abstract: The invention is based on the discovery that combination therapy with 2-deoxyglucose, methotrexate, and wogonin provides a synergistic therapeutic effect in selectively killing cancer cells. Advantageously, the disclosed combinatorial therapy does not adversely affect normal, healthy cells. Although the individual compounds have been previously used in cancer treatment, the cited combination has been surprisingly found to selectively kill cancer cells, while not adversely affecting normal, healthy cells, especially those of the immune system. Further, the combination of the compounds produces a synergistic effect, with increased killing of cancer cells compared to each compound alone. Importantly, the combination caused the dying cancer cells to release three key markers of immunogenic cell death: HMGB1, ATP and calreticulin. Immunogenic cell death attracts and activates immune cells against cancers.

Abstract: The invention is based on the discovery that combination therapy with 2-deoxyglucose, methotrexate, and wogonin provides a synergistic therapeutic effect in selectively killing cancer cells. Advantageously, the disclosed combinatorial therapy does not adversely affect normal, healthy cells. Although the individual compounds have been previously used in cancer treatment, the cited combination has been surprisingly found to selectively kill cancer cells, while not adversely affecting normal, healthy cells, especially those of the immune system. Further, the combination of the compounds produces a synergistic effect, with increased killing of cancer cells compared to each compound alone. Importantly, the combination caused the dying cancer cells to release three key markers of immunogenic cell death: HMGB1, ATP and calreticulin. Immunogenic cell death attracts and activates immune cells against cancers.