Breast cancer--response rates to chemotherapeutic agents studied in vitro.
BACKGROUND
The biological efficacy of, and spectrum of action of, agents used in treatment of breast cancer are important issues in therapy planning.


METHODS
Techniques used involve monolayer culture and a quantitative microtiter plate-based chemo-response assay. Precision Therapeutics' overall assessability rate is 90% for tumors of all types. In this study, 148 specimens derived from breast cancer were studied. Of these, 111 were additionally studied histopathologically. Ninety-two percent of the 111 specimens were confirmed to be epithelioid in nature and, thus, compatible with cells of breast cancer origin.


RESULTS
In vitro chemo-response profiles indicated that individual agents stratified into groups, with cyclophosphamide and fluorouracil demonstrating responses of 69% and 57% respectively; doxorubicin, 45%; and docetaxel, paclitaxel and gemcitabine, 39, 27 and 36%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The spectrum of responsiveness of the individual agents was variable and not completely overlapping, as shown by the Venn diagrams.
Kornblith
Paul
P
Precision Therapeutics, Inc., 2516 Jane Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203, USA. pkornblith@ptilabs.com
Wells
Alan
A
Gabrin
Michael J
MJ
Piwowar
John
J
George
Lisa D
LD
Ochs
Robert L
RL
Burholt
Dennis
D
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000494:pharmacology; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D000077143:Docetaxel; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D004354:Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D043823:Taxoids; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured; D000093542:Gemcitabine
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D043823:Taxoids; D003841:Deoxycytidine; D000077143:Docetaxel; D004317:Doxorubicin; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D017239:Paclitaxel; D005472:Fluorouracil; D000093542:Gemcitabine