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[Cell culture and its application--in vitro evaluation of anticancer activity using human tumor cell lines]
1Cancer Chemotherapy Center, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo.
Abstract:
Selective toxicity against cancer cells is a most important determinant for anticancer agents. Therefore, we have preferably evaluated anticancer effects in vivo using murine tumor models for several decades. Approximately 50 anticancer agents are currently available for clinical therapy, but very few agents are effective against some types of cancer. Much progresses in cell culture techniques resulted in establishment of various human tumor cell lines. Currently, we are able to use human tumor lines as well as murine ones for the examination of drug sensitivity. A number of assay methods to evaluate anticancer activity have been developed. In the beginning, growth inhibitory activity was evaluated by counting cell numbers after drug exposure. Then, human tumor clonogenic assay (HTCA) was designed to measure only proliferative cells. Recently colorimetric MTT assay and SRB assay in 96-well microplates were developed, which were adopted in the screening system in the NCI, based on a new idea, that is, disease-oriented screening (DOS) using about 60 human tumor cell lines. In this paper outline of each method was described, adding especially several comments on disease-oriented screening.
Insights
Evaluating anticancer agents requires selective toxicity. This study reviews methods for assessing drug sensitivity, including disease-oriented screening with human tumor cell lines.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Selective toxicity is crucial for anticancer agent efficacy.
- Limited effectiveness of current anticancer drugs necessitates improved evaluation methods.
- Advancements in cell culture enable the use of human tumor cell lines for drug sensitivity testing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review various assay methods for evaluating anticancer activity.
- To discuss the evolution of drug sensitivity testing from in vivo murine models to in vitro human cell lines.
- To highlight the significance and implementation of disease-oriented screening (DOS).
Main Methods:
- Review of established anticancer drug evaluation assays.
- Description of growth inhibitory activity assays.
- Explanation of human tumor clonogenic assay (HTCA), MTT assay, and SRB assay.
- Focus on disease-oriented screening (DOS) using approximately 60 human tumor cell lines.
Main Results:
- Traditional methods like cell counting and HTCA have been refined.
- Colorimetric assays (MTT, SRB) offer high-throughput screening capabilities.
- Disease-oriented screening (DOS) represents a modern approach for evaluating drug sensitivity across diverse cancer types.
Conclusions:
- The development of various assay methods has improved the evaluation of anticancer agents.
- Disease-oriented screening (DOS) using multiple human tumor cell lines is a key advancement in identifying effective anticancer drugs.
- Continued refinement of screening methodologies is essential for advancing cancer therapy.