Differential expression of drug resistance following in vitro exposure of human tumour cell lines to fractionated X-irradiation.

We have established that drug resistance can be expressed following in vitro exposure of tumour cells not only to antitumor drugs but also to fractionated X-irradiation. These data therefore suggest a biological basis for the clinical problem of drug resistance that can occur in patients with previously irradiated tumors. These observations, if confirmed, have clinical implications for the combined modality approach and need to be considered when attempting to identify resistant tumour cells in clinical specimens with the aim of monitoring or identifying effective drug regimens.