Cytotoxic agents active against mucinous adenocarcinoma of the ovary

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate cytotoxic agents active for mucinous adenocarcinoma of the ovary (MACO) which is considered to be intrinsically platinum-resistant. We first conducted in vitro chemosensitivity tests assessing cytotoxic activities of various anti-cancer agents against MACO using a cell line, designated OMC-3, established from ascites of a patient with histologically pure MACO. The most active single agent was SN-38 (active substance of CPT-11 in vivo). The second most potent agent was mitomycin-C (MMC) followed by doxorubicin (DOX). In vivo chemo-sensitivity test of agents on OMC-3 transplanted into Balb/c nude mice demonstrated that MMC was most potent, followed by DOX. Moreover, a combination of CPT-11 and MMC exhibited the highest anti-tumor activity in this animal model. Cisplatin was found to be ineffective in both the in vitro and in vivo experimental system. Clinical trial with a combination of MMC and CPT-11 are justified in patients with MACO.