Changes in DNA content of lung adenocarcinoma cells following exposure to anti-cancer drugs.
To investigate the changes in the nuclear DNA content of lung adenocarcinoma cells following exposure to chemotherapeutic agents, malignant cells obtained from either tumor biopsies or pleural effusions of 12 patients with primary lung adenocarcinoma were cultured in vitro and exposed to adriamycin, vincristine, cisplatin or a placebo. Cytophotometric measurements of the nuclear DNA were performed. In 10 cases, the DNA histograms revealed that the modal values of the lung adenocarcinoma cells ranged from 4.0C to 4.6C. The remaining 2 cases were 3.2C and 2.2C, respectively. After exposure, three response patterns in the DNA content were found: (1) the cells maintain their original cell cycle distributions, this was seen in cultures resistant to the drugs or in cultures showing extensive cell killing; (2) the cells accumulate with their DNA content in the S and G2M phase; and (3) the cells lose their modal values and become aneuploidy. We conclude that cytophotometric analysis of DNA content can offer useful information on the chemosensitivity of tumor cells. However, since there may be various response patterns, the corresponding percentage of cell killings, as assessed by morphologic observation or by a dye exclusion test, is necessary for interpreting the results.
Yang
S C
SC
Department of Clinical Pathology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, R.O.C.
Kuo
S H
SH
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000494:pharmacology; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000378:metabolism*; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000494:pharmacology; D004354:Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D014750:Vincristine / Q000494:pharmacology
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; D014750:Vincristine; D004317:Doxorubicin; D002945:Cisplatin