A new microperfusion system for the cultivation of tumor-cells invitro - approach to integrate pharmacokinetic parameters in screening assays for cytostatic drugs.

By a newly introduced microperfusion system absorption and elimination rates can be simulated in vitro. This article describes the optimization of culture conditions (medium composition, membrane filters, pumping rates, and stirring speeds) of tumor cell lines (L1210, KB) maintained in suspension in an ultrafiltration-flat chamber. Viability and colony-forming ability are measured. Our results indicate that tumor cells can be cultured under serum-free conditions over a five hour incubation period with only minimal decrease in colony-forming ability. Survival of cells is independent from the pumping rate in the tested range, but is dependent of the stirring speed. Each cell line requires its own stirring speed. Ultrafiltration membranes with minimal nonspecific adsorption properties proved to be the best in terms of cell adsorption and toxicity to retain cells in the chamber. This system might improve the tumor cell colony assay for cytostatic drug screening.