title: Chemosensitivity of human melanoma metastases in mouse subrenal capsule assay--can it predict tumour response to combined cytostatic plus interferon therapy in metastatic melanoma?
abstract: We have analysed the chemosensitivity of 121 human melanoma metastases in the 6-day mouse subrenal capsule assay (SRCA). A total of 13 different chemotherapy regimens were analysed in four successive series. By the original criteria of the assay, 75% of tumours were sensitive to at least one regimen. The most effective combinations, giving sensitivity rates > 40%, were of dacarbazine, vincristine, and BCNU (DOB) with or without metronidazole, followed by cisplatin plus etoposide (Plat-VP16) combined with interferon. On the basis of the SRCA screening we developed a four-drug chemotherapy regimen combined with interferon for metastatic melanoma. Retrospectively analysed the assay correctly identified 77% of clinical responders and 54% of clinical non-responders. The overall predictive accuracy was 65%. Despite the limitations of the assay, it can be used for screening new drugs or combinations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Finland.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hahka-Kemppinen
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Muhonen
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kangas
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pyrhönen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001761:Bleomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003606:Dacarbazine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007372:Interferons / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008130:Lomustine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D013370:Subrenal Capsule Assay; D014750:Vincristine / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001761:Bleomycin; D014750:Vincristine; D008130:Lomustine; D003606:Dacarbazine; D007372:Interferons