Subrenal capsule assay in choosing cytostatics for gynaecological tumours

The subrenal capsule assay (SRCA) was used to test the sensitivity of gynaecological tumours to chemotherapy. The total number of the assays was 95, ovarian cancer being the most often tested. Of the SRCAs 92% were evaluable. Of the 59 evaluable assays for ovarian cancer, 52% showed sensitivity, 41% intermediate sensitivity, and 7% resistance to chemotherapy. The previously treated tumours were less sensitive than the untreated ones (p less than 0.01). To the most often tested drug combinations, DOX (doxorubicin) + C (cyclophosphamide) + DDP (cisplatin), DOX + C + Tegafur, and C + V (vincristine), resistance was observed in 10-20% of the assays. However, there was marked interindividual variation. Twenty-five assays of the squamous cell carcinomas were evaluable. Of the tumours 28% were sensitive, 48% intermediately sensitive, and 24% were resistant. Five of 7 sensitive tumours were previously untreated. The combination of DDP and VP-16 (etoposide) was tested most often, followed by Bleo (bleomycin) as a single agent. DDP + VP-16 was significantly superior to Bleo (p less than 0.01). The results of the SRCA and the clinical outcome of the patients could be compared in 31 cases. An overall predictive accuracy rate of 81% was achieved. It was concluded that the SRCA has predictive value in determining chemotherapy responsiveness of gynaecological tumours.