Correlation of drug resistance-associated parameters in ovarian tumor biopsies

This work compares glutathione levels, glutathione S-transferase activities and isoenzyme expression, metallothionein levels and P-glycoprotein expression in normal ovaries, and in epithelial ovarian tumor biopsies from patients prior to chemotherapy or following relapse. These parameters have been implicated as determinants of response to cytotoxic chemotherapy. Large differences were found between normal ovary and ovarian tumors, but no significant differences were observed between tumors taken before or after cytotoxic chemotherapy. These data do not support a role for these biochemical parameters in the decreased response seen in patients with recurrent or progressive disease.