title: Breast cancer--response rates to chemotherapeutic agents studied in vitro.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Precision Therapeutics, Inc., 2516 Jane Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203, USA. pkornblith@ptilabs.com
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kornblith
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wells
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Gabrin
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Piwowar
authors.forename: Lisa D
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: George
authors.forename: Robert L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Ochs
authors.forename: Dennis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Burholt
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D043823:Taxoids; D003841:Deoxycytidine; D000077143:Docetaxel; D004317:Doxorubicin; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D017239:Paclitaxel; D005472:Fluorouracil; D000093542:Gemcitabine