In Vitro Chemosensitivity in Ovarian Carcinoma – Comparison of Three Leading Assays

Abstract

Material and Methods: Fresh tumoral tissue samples of 26 newly diagnosed primary ovarian cancer patients were studied with 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolyum bromide (MTT) assay, adenosine triphosphate-tumor chemosensitivity assay (ATP-TCA) and differential staining cytotoxicity (DISC) assays. Chemosensitivity of tumors were studied for paclitaxel, carboplatin, docetaxel, topotecan, gemcitabine, and doxorubicin with each of the three assays. Subgroup analysis was performed for stage, grade, and histologic type. Results: The in vitro chemosensitivity results of MTT, ATP, and DISC assays were found to be similar. The subgroups in which in vitro assays would be more useful were encountered for patients with advanced stage and serous histology ovarian carcinoma. Conclusions: In vitro chemosensitivity can be determined in ovarian carcinoma with ATP, MTT, or DISC assays before the initiation of chemotherapy. These three assays correlate well with each other and are particularly useful for serous and advanced cancers. Large prospective studies comparing standard versus assay-directed therapy with an endpoint of overall survival are required before routine clinical utilization of these assays.