Differences and similarities in adjuvant chemotherapy in mouse and man

The effectiveness of adjuvant chemotherapy is easily demonstrated in many mouse models, whereas in man the response is good but far less spectacular. With the aid of a mathematical model the following variables in which differences may exist between mouse and man were tested: 1. Uniformity of tumour load in population 2. Cell kinetic factors in drug sensitivity 3. Variation of drug sensitivity among tumours 4. Drug penetration into tumour 5. Tumour antigenicity 6. Variation in growth rate among tumours It is concluded that the factors 1 and 3 are responsible for the difference. Mouse models are more sensitive by selection of an effective drug and an optimal tumour load. Other factors seem not to affect the results.