[Chemosensitivity test for lung cancer].
The complete response rate in advanced non-small cell lung cancer is extremely low and the effect of chemotherapy on survival is still obscure. The emergence of resistance to anticancer agents results in the poor prognosis in small cell lung cancer although the initial response rate has improved. The significance of chemosensitivity test in lung cancer can be classified to three areas. The first of these as the individualization of chemotherapy, which means the selection of different active drugs for individual patients. In spite of numerous studies, there remain many theoretical and technical problems in predictive drug sensitivity testing. It is still far from practical use. Secondly, drug sensitivity tests have contributed to the screening of new anticancer agents. Since 1986, NCI (USA) started the disease oriented drug screening system (DOS) using human cancer cell lines. So far, active drugs against drug resistant tumors such as colon and non-small cell carcinoma have been found out by DOS. The clinical application of these drugs selected by DOS may give the answer concerning the validity of this new screening system. Thirdly, drug sensitivity tests have widely been used for the analysis of the mechanisms of drug sensitivity and resistance. By the progress of study in this field the biochemical and molecular biological targets of drug sensitivity test will be elucidated.
Nishio
K
K
Pharmacology Division, National Cancer Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan.
Saijo
N
N
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000494:pharmacology; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000494:pharmacology; D004354:Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured / Q000187:drug effects
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D004317:Doxorubicin; D002945:Cisplatin