Abstract

The response of ovarian serous papillary adenocarcinomas to various cytotoxic drugs was examined using the (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium, inner salt) (MTS) cytotoxicity assay. Thirty tumors were collected and organized into four groups according to histologic grade and FIGO stage: stage III, grade 2; stage III, grade 3; stage IV, grade 2; and stage IV, grade 3. The MTS chemosensitivity assay was performed on each tumor to examine the response to cisplatin, paclitaxel , hycamtin and the combination of cisplatin and paclitaxel. Ovarian adenocarcinomas of similar stage and grade displayed varying responses to the same drug. A lower concentration of the drug was often as effective as the peak plasma concentration. For some specimens combination therapy was more effective for inhibiting tumor growth, and for others single-agent therapy gave a better response. A chemosensitivity/resistance profile is recommended before deciding on appropriate chemotherapy.