In vitro chemosensitivity of head and neck cancer cell lines.
BACKGROUND
Systemic treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) includes a variety of antineoplastic drugs. However, drug-resistance interferes with the effectiveness of chemotherapy. Preclinical testing models are needed in order to develop approaches to overcome chemoresistance. -


METHODS
Ten human cell lines were obtained from HNSCC, including one with experimentally-induced cisplatin resistance. Inhibition of cell growth by seven chemotherapeutic agents (cisplatin, carboplatin, 5- fluorouracil, methotrexate, bleomycin, vincristin, and paclitaxel) was measured using metabolic MTT-uptake assay and correlated to clinically-achievable plasma concentrations. -


RESULTS
All drugs inhibited cell growth in a concentration-dependent manner with an IC50 comparable to that achievable in vivo. However, response curves for methotrexate were unsatisfactory and for paclitaxel, the solubilizer cremophor EL was toxic. Cross-resistance was observed between cisplatin and carboplatin. -


CONCLUSIONS
Chemosensitivity of HNSCC cell lines can be determined using the MTT-uptake assay. For DNA-interfering cytostatics and vinca alkaloids this is a simple and reproducible procedure. Determined in vitro chemosensitivity serves as a baseline for further experimental approaches aiming to modulate chemoresistance in HNSCC with potential clinical significance.
Schuler
P J
PJ
Hals-Nasen-Ohrenklinik, Universität Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany. patrick.schuler@uk-essen.de
Trellakis
S
S
Greve
J
J
Bas
M
M
Bergmann
C
C
Bölke
E
E
Lehnerdt
G
G
Mattheis
S
S
Albers
A E
AE
Brandau
S
S
Lang
S
S
Whiteside
T L
TL
Bier
H
H
Hoffmann
T K
TK
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000494:pharmacology; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000494:pharmacology; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000494:pharmacology; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000494:pharmacology
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D016190:Carboplatin; D017239:Paclitaxel; D002945:Cisplatin; D008727:Methotrexate