TCA-100 tumour chemosensitivity assay: differences in sensitivity between cultured tumour cell lines and clinical studies.

The BATLE LE TCA-100 tumour chemosensitivity assay has been used to evaluate chemotherapeutic drug sensitivity of cultured tumour cell lines. Studies were performed using test drug concentrations calibrated to discriminate sensitivity and resistance of clinical specimens. Strong sensitivity which appeared to be inconsistent with clinical experience was detected for some drugs and cell lines. Findings of strong sensitivity were consistent with basic differences between sensitivity testing cultured cell lines and clinical specimens. Results with cell lines frequently may not apply directly to clinical applications. Characterization of differences between cell lines and clinical specimens may assist in application of cell line findings to clinical trials.