Our
laboratory has implemented an
in vitro assay to estimate the response to
chemotherapy in
ovarian cancer cells pertaining to individual
patients . In two selected
patients , we determined the correlation between an
in vitro assay of
cells from suspected
ovarian cancer ascites , with the clinical
chemotherapy response.
Cancer cells isolated from
peritoneal fluid with suspected
ovarian cancer were tested for cytotoxicity with corresponding
chemotherapy regimens. Circulating Cal25 levels and attending
physician consultation determined
clinical course and response to
chemotherapy . The
in vitro assay result correlated with Cal25 levels,
progression free survival and attending
physician evaluation. The assay predicted correctly the failure of two successive
chemotherapy regimes in the first
patient , while predicting a favorable clinical response in the second subject.