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Updated: Aug 9, 2026
Method for Novel Anti-Cancer Drug Development using Tumor Explants of Surgical Specimens
Published on: July 29, 2011
The human tumor cloning assay in cancer drug development. A review
Abstract:
Animal studies with transplantable tumor cell lines suggested that the sensitivities of the in vitro tumor cultures to certain anticancer drugs agreed with the drug sensitivities of the same tumors in vivo. Soft agar cloning techniques have been established for human myeloma and ovarian cancer cells. Refinement of the techniques now permits cloning of most human malignancies. Drug sensitivity studies have been conducted measuring the reduction in the number of tumor colonies formed. Clinical trials showed that approximately one half of patients whose cells demonstrate in vitro sensitivity to a drug will obtain a clinical response to the same drug. Patients whose cells appear resistant to a certain drug in vitro rarely respond to the drug clinically. In vitro drug sensitivity testing may eventually allow some individualization of chemotherapy. In addition it already appears that these techniques may be excellent for screening new drugs with specific anticancer potentials.
Insights
This study shows that in vitro drug sensitivity testing accurately predicts patient response to chemotherapy. These methods can help personalize cancer treatment and screen new anticancer drugs.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Animal studies suggest a correlation between in vitro and in vivo anticancer drug sensitivity.
- Established soft agar cloning techniques for human myeloma and ovarian cancer cells.
- Refined techniques now allow cloning of most human malignancies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the clinical utility of in vitro drug sensitivity testing for human cancers.
- To determine if in vitro drug sensitivity predicts patient response to chemotherapy.
- To assess the potential of these techniques for screening novel anticancer agents.
Main Methods:
- Utilized soft agar cloning techniques to establish human tumor cell cultures.
- Performed in vitro drug sensitivity studies by measuring the reduction in tumor colony formation.
- Correlated in vitro drug sensitivity results with clinical patient responses in trials.
Main Results:
- Approximately 50% of patients whose tumor cells showed in vitro sensitivity responded to the same drug clinically.
- Patients with in vitro resistant tumor cells rarely achieved clinical response to the tested drug.
- In vitro drug sensitivity testing demonstrated strong predictive value for chemotherapy response.
Conclusions:
- In vitro drug sensitivity testing shows significant promise for individualizing chemotherapy regimens.
- These techniques are effective in predicting clinical outcomes for anticancer drugs.
- The methods are valuable for screening new drugs with anticancer potential.
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