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Predictive chemosensitivity testing in malignant melanoma: reliable methodology--ineffective drugs
K M Tveit1, S Gundersen, J Høie
1Norwegian Radium Hospital, Montebello, Norway.
British Journal of Cancer
|December 1, 1988
Summary
This study found a reliable in vitro chemosensitivity assay for malignant melanoma patients. However, current chemotherapy agents are too ineffective to justify routine assay use.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
- Clinical Trials
Background:
- Malignant melanoma is a serious cancer with limited effective treatments.
- Predictive assays for chemotherapy response are needed to personalize treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the predictive value of an in vitro chemosensitivity assay for malignant melanoma.
- To correlate in vitro drug sensitivity with patient response to chemotherapy.
Main Methods:
- Conducted retrospective and prospective trials on 153 malignant melanoma patients.
- Utilized the Courtenay and Mills soft agar cultivation method for in vitro chemosensitivity testing.
- Assessed sensitivity, specificity, and predictive value of the assay against three agents: DTIC, CCNU, and vinblastine.
Main Results:
- The in vitro assay demonstrated high sensitivity (approx. 100%) and specificity (87-98%) in predicting chemotherapy response.
- Predictive value of a negative test was high (approx. 100%), while a positive test ranged from 37.5-87.5%.
- Chemotherapy response rates and median survival times were not significantly improved by the assay-guided treatment approach.
Conclusions:
- The in vitro chemosensitivity assay is reliable and possesses predictive value for malignant melanoma.
- Current chemotherapeutic agents for melanoma lack sufficient efficacy to warrant routine clinical use of this assay.