In vitro determination of myeloma cell resistance to melphalan using the 3H-thymidine incorporation technique.
Plasma cells derived from marrow aspirates of 21 untreated myeloma patients have been cultured in RPMI 1640 medium containing 3H-thymidine and melphalan. Thereafter plasma cell-labelling index was determined autoradiographically. In 20 patients melphalan caused a measurable decrease in the percentage of labelled plasma cells. Decreases in labelling index ranging from -4% to 3% have been considered as indicating the resistance of myeloma cells to melphalan in vitro. Decreases within this range have been found in 7 patients. In other 13 myelomas with chemosensitive marrow plasma cells, melphalan did reduce the labelling index to values ranging from 4% to 24%. Some clinical implications of the tests are discussed.
Department of Haematology, Medical School, Wrocław, Poland.
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Gola
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Kuliczkowski
D000328:Adult; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000096:biosynthesis; D004351:Drug Resistance; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008558:Melphalan / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010950:Plasma Cells / Q000187:drug effects; D010954:Plasmacytoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D013936:Thymidine / Q000378:metabolism
D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; D008558:Melphalan; D013936:Thymidine