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Updated: Aug 8, 2026
Therapy Testing in a Spheroid-based 3D Cell Culture Model for Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Published on: April 20, 2018
Succinate dehydrogenase inhibition test for evaluating head and neck tumors
T Nakashima1, T Uemura, Y Maehara
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.
Abstract:
In vitro chemosensitivity was evaluated in human head and neck cancers using the succinate dehydrogenase (SD) test and the results were compared to findings in cases of malignant lymphomas and gastric cancers. Tumor fragments were exposed to several antitumor drugs at ten times the peak plasma concentration and assayed for SD activity. Decrease of SD activity was most prominent in the malignant lymphomas in cases of exposure to ADM, ACR, DDP, MMC and CQ; in which the average of SD activity decreased to below 30%. In the squamous cell carcinomas, SD activity below 40% was also observed with the same drugs, while the SD activity of gastric cancers was about 50%. There was a change of chemosensitivity following chemotherapy. The use of the SDI test will aid in selecting drugs for the prevention of recurrence or metastasis in head and neck cancers.
Insights
The succinate dehydrogenase (SD) test effectively predicts head and neck cancer chemosensitivity. This assay helps select optimal antitumor drugs, potentially preventing recurrence and metastasis.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Biochemistry
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Head and neck cancers present significant treatment challenges.
- Predicting in vitro chemosensitivity is crucial for effective therapeutic selection.
- The succinate dehydrogenase (SD) test offers a method to assess cellular drug response.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate in vitro chemosensitivity in human head and neck cancers using the SD test.
- To compare the SD test results with those from malignant lymphomas and gastric cancers.
- To determine the utility of the SD test in guiding chemotherapy selection for head and neck cancers.
Main Methods:
- Tumor fragments from head and neck cancers, lymphomas, and gastric cancers were used.
- Fragments were exposed to various antitumor drugs at high concentrations (10x peak plasma).
- Succinate dehydrogenase (SD) activity was measured to assess drug-induced cellular damage.
Main Results:
- Malignant lymphomas showed the most significant SD activity decrease (<30%) with ADM, ACR, DDP, MMC, and CQ.
- Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas exhibited <40% SD activity with the same drugs.
- Gastric cancers showed approximately 50% SD activity reduction, indicating differential chemosensitivity.
Conclusions:
- The SD test demonstrates varying chemosensitivity across different cancer types.
- Chemosensitivity profiles can change following chemotherapy treatment.
- The SD test (SDI) shows promise for aiding drug selection in head and neck cancer treatment to prevent metastasis.
