Single agent chemotherapy for head and neck cancers. The murine subrenal capsule assay.
The murine subrenal capsule assay was used to determine chemotherapeutic sensitivities of metastatic, primary, or recurrent head and neck cancers. Tumor fragments (1 cu mm) were implanted under the renal capsule of 2- to 4-month-old normal female C57 BL/6 X DBA/2 F1 hybrid mice. Xenografts included 20 squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs), one mucoepidermoid carcinoma, one adenoid cystic carcinoma, and two melanomas. Groups of tumor-bearing mice were treated with chemotherapy daily for five days. Sensitivities of the tumor were assessed on day 6 by comparison of final implant size with initial implant size. Significant oncolytic activity was detected against 16 of 24 tumors (14 of 20 SCCs and both melanomas). Correlations between the in vivo assay and clinical studies are needed to determine its predictive value.
D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy; D003528:Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic / Q000188:drug therapy; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004351:Drug Resistance; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000601:surgery; D008545:Melanoma / Q000188:drug therapy; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D051379:Mice; D009368:Neoplasm Transplantation
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D008727:Methotrexate