title: Heterogeneity of chemosensitivity in esophageal cancer using ATP-tumor chemosensitivity assay.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Current chemotherapy for esophageal cancer is conducted on the basis of empirical information from clinical trials, which fails to take into account the known heterogeneity of chemosensitivity between patients. This study was aimed to demonstrate the degree of heterogeneity of chemosensitivity in esophageal cancers.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 42 esophageal cancer specimens were collected. The heterogeneity of chemosensitivity in esophageal cancer specimens was examined using an ex vivo ATP-tumor chemosensitivity assay (ATP-TCA).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty eight specimens produced evaluable results (90.5%). The most active single agent tested was nedaplatin, to which 28.9% of samples were sensitive. Combinations of chemotherapy agents exhibited much higher sensitivity: cisplatin + paclitaxel was sensitive in 16 of 38 (42.1%) of samples, while nedaplatin+paclitaxel was more effective, which was sensitive in 20 of 38 cases (52.6%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There was a marked heterogeneity of chemosensitivity in esophageal cancer. Chemosensitivity testing may provide a practical method for testing new regimens before clinical trials in esophageal cancer patients.
authors.affiliation: Zhejiang Cancer Research Institute, Zhejiang Province Cancer Hospital, Zhejiang Cancer Center, Hangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Zhi-qiang
authors.initials: ZQ
authors.lastname: Ling
authors.forename: Chun-jian
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Qi
authors.forename: Xiao-xiao
authors.initials: XX
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Li-juan
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Qian
authors.forename: Lin-hui
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Gu
authors.forename: Zhi-guo
authors.initials: ZG
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.forename: Qiang
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Shi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Xian-hua
authors.initials: XH
authors.lastname: Fang
authors.forename: Zhi-xing
authors.initials: ZX
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Jian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yin
authors.forename: Wei-min
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Mao
mesh_terms: D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000378:metabolism*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; D004354:Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor / Q000379:methods; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate