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Updated: Aug 8, 2026
Evaluating the Effectiveness of Cancer Drug Sensitization In Vitro and In Vivo
Published on: February 6, 2015
Clinical evaluation of in vitro chemosensitivity testing: the example of uveal melanoma
P Terheyden1, E B Bröcker, J C Becker
1Julius-Maximilians-University of Würzburg, Department of Dermatology, Josef-Schneider-Strasse 2, Building 13, 97080 Würzburg, Germany.
Purpose:
Results from in vitro chemosensitivity testing recommend treosulfan/gemcitabine chemotherapy for the treatment of stage IV uveal melanoma.
Methods:
Twenty patients received treosulfan 3,500 mg/m2 followed by gemcitabine 1,000 mg/m2 on day 1 and day 8 repeated on day 29. In cases of prior chemotherapy only 75% of these dosages were used.
Results:
Without any patient achieving an objective response, 25% of patients (95% confidence interval, 8.6-49.1%) had stabilisation of disease. This stabilisation was associated with a prolonged median overall survival of 17 months compared with 7 months for the patients with progressive disease. First-line treatment was not associated with better response or survival although prognostic parameters did not significantly differ from that of other patients.
Conclusions:
The results are disappointing and question the value of individualized chemotherapy based on in vitro assays.
