[Cell test system for the preliminary screening of antitumor preparations]

A cell model CaPa (Human Cancer Pancreas) for prescreening of synthetic and plant substances with suggested antitumor activity is offered. The sensitivity of this cell line to 22 clinical drugs of different classes (alkylating compounds, antimetabolites, antibiotics, substances of plant origin, etc.) was studied. The cytotoxic action of drugs was assessed by measuring the level of DNA synthesis on the basis of 3H-thymidine incorporation, total nucleic acids and protein. The results showed that the cell line CaPa is sufficiently sensitive to clinical drugs.