Detection of chemosensitivity of ovarian cancer with MTT colorimetric assay

Objective: To assess the practicability of in vitro chemosensitivity testing in ovarian cancer using MTT colorimetric assay, and to help clinical doctors choose more effective chemotherapeutic agents. Methods:Chemosensitivity of 65 ovarian cancer samples to 12 drugs were detected in vitro with MTT assay. Results:There was a great difference in sensitivity to anticancer agents between different kinds of ovarian cancer and between patients with same kind of ovarian cancer. Ovarian cancer cells had great sensitivity to Paclitaxel,Epirubicin,carboplatin, and Cisplatin at (67.3±4.6)%,(54.5±4.8)%,(52.0±4.3)%,and (50.8±4.5)% of average inhibition rate respectively. Low sensitivity was shown to Etoposide,Hydrocarbonyl Camptothecin, and Vindesine at (39.6±3.8)%,(39.3±4.3)%,and (30.7±2.6)% of average inhibition rate respectively. There was drug resistance to mitomycin C,Thiotepa,5-Fluorouracil,Vincristine, and Methotrexate at average inhibition rate less than 30%. Conclusion:There was a great difference in sensitivity to anticancer agents between different patients with ovarian cancer. The MTT assay is a simple technique, rapid for testing of chemosensitivity, and helpful to compose individual chemotherapeutic scheme for patients.