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A subrenal capsule assay for testing the effect of anticancer drugs against human tumors
H Iwagaki1, S Fuchimoto, K Orita
1First Department of Surgery, Okayama University Medical School, Japan.
Abstract:
Fresh surgical explants of solid tumors obtained from 50 patients were tested against six chemotherapeutic agents in the in vivo subrenal capsule assay. Control growth adequate to meet evaluable assay criteria was obtained in 36 of 50 tumors (72.0%). With activity criteria set at current drug screening levels as a change in modifidd PAPAN score in less than or equal to -2.0 for the SRC assay, 36.1% of the human tumors evaluable and 11.6% of drugs tested were sensitive, respectively. Our research reveals that gastric cancers respond to drugs about 2.5-fold higher than colorectal cancers. Comparisons were made of the drug sensitivity in terms of histologic differentiation, and it was strongly suggested that the sensitivity of the poorly differentiated type was higher than that of well or moderately differentiated type.
Insights
This study evaluated chemotherapy drug sensitivity in human solid tumors using the subrenal capsule assay. Gastric cancers showed higher drug response than colorectal cancers, with poorly differentiated tumors being more sensitive.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Solid tumors present a significant challenge in cancer treatment.
- Accurate prediction of chemotherapeutic agent efficacy is crucial for patient outcomes.
- The subrenal capsule (SRC) assay offers a model for evaluating drug sensitivity in human tumors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the efficacy of six chemotherapeutic agents against fresh surgical explants of solid tumors.
- To compare drug sensitivity between different cancer types, specifically gastric and colorectal cancers.
- To investigate the relationship between tumor histologic differentiation and chemosensitivity.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the in vivo subrenal capsule assay with fresh surgical tumor explants from 50 patients.
- Tested tumor response against six different chemotherapeutic agents.
- Evaluated drug sensitivity based on changes in the modified PAPAN score, with sensitivity defined as a score ≤ -2.0.
Main Results:
- Adequate tumor growth for evaluation was achieved in 72.0% of cases.
- 36.1% of evaluable human tumors demonstrated sensitivity to the tested chemotherapeutic agents.
- Gastric cancers exhibited approximately 2.5-fold higher drug responsiveness compared to colorectal cancers.
- Poorly differentiated tumors suggested higher sensitivity than well or moderately differentiated types.
Conclusions:
- The subrenal capsule assay is a viable method for evaluating drug sensitivity in solid tumors.
- Significant differences in drug response exist between gastric and colorectal cancers.
- Tumor differentiation may influence sensitivity to chemotherapeutic agents, with poorly differentiated tumors showing greater sensitivity.
