Use of the collagen gel droplet embedded drug sensitivity test to determine drug sensitivity against ovarian mature cystic teratoma with malignant transformation to adenocarcinoma: a case report.

BACKGROUND: The collagen gel droplet embedded drug sensitivity test (CD-DST) is a new anticancer drug sensitivity test that only requires a small number of cells. We report the use of this test in the choice of adjuvant chemotherapy for treatment of a rare case of ovarian cancer involving malignant transformation of ovarian mature cystic teratoma. CASE REPORT: The patient was a 70-year-old female with an ovarian tumor, pleural effusion, carcinomatous ascites and a chest wall tumor. The histopathological diagnosis was adenocarcinoma, mature cystic teratoma with malignant transformation, stage IV. Paclitaxel/carboplatin therapy was selected as adjuvant chemotherapy based on CD-DST results. Upon completion of 6 courses, no increases in carcinomatous ascites or recurrent lesions were evident, and the chest wall tumor had disappeared completely.
CONCLUSION: The CD-DST may be particularly useful for selecting preoperative chemotherapeutic drugs for patients with ovarian cancer in which the histological type of the primary tumor is unknown. Copyright 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel.