[Sensitivity test for anti-tumor agents. 1. Application of human cord serum--as cellular growth factor]

For the purpose to establish a rapid, accurate, in vitro drug sensitivity test, we have been working on surgical specimens and malignant effusions. For the primary cultures, we used cellular medium PRMI-1640 with 10% fetal calf serum (FCS). For the successful tissue culture, human cord serum (HCS) was in stead of FCS in this study. For the preparation of HCS, human cord blood was obtained aseptically just after the second stage of labor from the uncomplicated pregnant women. The serum was separated, filtrated, being confirmed negative Mycoplasma contamination, and inactivated by keeping in a water bath at 56 degrees C for 30 min. The experimental materials were T-24, HeLa and Vero cells. These cellular suspension samples in RPMI1640 with FCS or HCS were kept in 5% CO2 incubator at 37 degrees C for 120 hours. Estimation and evaluation of this test in comparison of FCS with HCS were made on the following points. 1. Cellular proliferation on the crystal violet staining. 2. Cellular function test by MTT assay. 3. Cellular morphologic changes on microscopic examination.

1. HCS, as well as FCS, seemed to be a good cellular growth factor. 2. 5% HCS is compatible with 10% FCS for good cellular development.