Analysis of tumor and endothelial cell viability and survival using sulforhodamine B and clonogenic assays.

A variety of assays, and rationales for their use, exist to monitor viability and/or survival following cellular exposure to insult. Two commonly used in vitro assays are the sulforhodamine B assay and the clonogenic survival assay which can be used to monitor the efficacy of anticancer agents, either via direct tumor cell cytotoxicity or antiangiogenic mechanisms. The techniques described are suitable for studying survival in a number of different cell types; however, this chapter describes how they may be used in the assessment of chemo-/radiosensitivity. The methods are uncomplicated and robust as long as attention is paid to key optimization steps. Except for a multiwell plate reader they do not require any specialized equipment other than that found in a typical tissue-culture laboratory.