TITLE:
Cancer Chemosensitivity Testing: Review
AUTHORS:
Yongzhuang Su
KEYWORDS:
Cancer, Chemosensitivity Testing, Cell Culture, Molecular
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Cancer Therapy,
Vol.5 No.7,
June
13,
2014
ABSTRACT: Since chemotherapy started
in 1940s, chemosensitivity testing has been both a very attractive field and
one fraught with potential pitfalls. Many methods were developed and brought
initial promises, yet later ending in disappointment and were eliminated. For
example, in the 1970s clonogenic assay was generally believed to be the best
testing method for predicting clinical outcome. However, technical problems
including low evaluation rate limited its use. Currently, MTT, ATP, DISC and
Kern’s assay hold better promises. Since the 90s, the study of molecular
biology has been progressing rapidly. It accelerated the understanding of
molecular mechanisms of drug response. Numerous papers were published, but only
few techniques can be applied in clinical practice. This review summarizes the
controversies and current progress of chemosensitivity assays based on
available online information, and makes a suggestion about their future routine
practice.