Appraisal of the MTT assay as a rapid test of chemosensitivity in acute myeloid leukaemia.

We describe the application of a simple, rapid, semi-automated assay to the sensitivity testing of cytotoxic drugs in 23 patients with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). The survival of blast cells from the bone marrow was measured by the MTT assay after 48 h continuous exposure to drugs both singly and in combination. There was a linear relationship between the number of leukaemic cells and the optical density of the formazan produced. The assay demonstrated a variation in drug sensitivity between patients. The technique was reproducible and there was no significant difference in response between blast cells obtained from bone marrow or from peripheral blood. Preliminary results show a correlation between in vitro and in vivo data. The test can be repeated throughout the course of the disease to help identify any change in tumour sensitivity. This technique appears to give useful information to assist in the management of acute myeloid leukaemia.