A new chemosensitivity assay for ascites tumor cells using a thermoreversible gelation polymer as a culture medium and the observed clinical responses.
OBJECTIVE
Ascites tumor cells from patients with peritonitis carcinomatosa were tested for cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (CDDP) sensitivity. The patients were divided into CDDP-sensitive and resistant groups. Survival and time to progression (TTP) rates were compared.


METHODS
18 peritonitis carcinomatosa patients with class V ascites based on cytologic diagnosis were enrolled in this study. Chemosensitivity testing of the ascites tumor cells was done to determine their sensitivity to CDDP using a three-dimensional culture matrix of thermoreversible gelation polymer (TGP). CDDP at a dose calculated to achieve ascitic fluid drug levels equivalent to the IC(50) was given intraperitoneally to 12 CDDP-sensitive patients and 6 CDDP-resistant patients.


RESULTS
Both the median survival time and the median TTP were significantly longer in CDDP-sensitive patients than in CDDP-resistant patients (survival time 105 vs. 13 days, p = 0.019; TTP 90 vs. 5 days, p = 0.029).


CONCLUSIONS
The results indicate the potential feasibility of controlling ascites in cancer patients in whom a maximal dose effect can be achieved with a minimal dose of chemotherapy.
Isogai
Akiko
A
Department of General Surgery, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan.
Nagaya
Masaki
M
Matsuoka
Hiromitu
H
Watanabe
Taiji
T
Tsukikawa
Satoshi
S
Kubota
Sunao
S
D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D001201:Ascites / Q000473:pathology*; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020128:Inhibitory Concentration 50; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D010538:Peritonitis / Q000473:pathology*; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology*; D015996:Survival Rate; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D002945:Cisplatin