title: Growth inhibitory effect of sodium azide in chemosensitivity assays.
abstract: In vitro chemosensitivity assays based on colony counting are plagued by persistent incidence of false-negative results. To avoid serious predictive errors, some investigators have utilized positive controls (known toxic compounds) as a quality control measure. Sodium azide (NaN3) at 6 mg/ml failed to inhibit colony formation in 17/35 (49%) assays; while in the thymidine incorporation assay, sodium azide was effective in inhibiting 124/131 (95%) specimens. Positive control substances for use in chemosensitivity assays must be carefully selected to insure accurate results.
mesh_terms: D001386:Azides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001706:Biopsy; D001761:Bleomycin / Q000494:pharmacology; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D008545:Melanoma; D008627:Mercuric Chloride / Q000494:pharmacology; D014411:Neoplastic Stem Cells / Q000187:drug effects*; D019810:Sodium Azide; D013936:Thymidine / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D001386:Azides; D001761:Bleomycin; D008627:Mercuric Chloride; D019810:Sodium Azide; D013936:Thymidine