Abstract
Background: For chemosensitivity and resistance assays to be clinically useful in predicting patient outcome, they should require small amounts of tissue and be highly reproducible and reliable. Patients and Methods: Expanded tumor cells from transcutaneous biopsies of breast lesions (n=62) were tested for chemoresponse using the cell-based ChemoFx® assay. Pathologic complete response (pCR) was determined on a subset of patients (n=34). Assay score and pCR were determined independently in a blinded manner. Logistic regression models were used to select predictors for response. Results: Tumor cells were successfully isolated from 83.9% of patients. Chemoresponse profiles were robust and reproducible with coefficient of variance of <3%. In a limited initial patient outcome correlation, assay score of docetaxel/capecitabine significantly predicted pCR; the cross-validated model was 75% accurate. Conclusion: It is feasible to assess the chemoresponsiveness of small breast lesions using the ChemoFx® assay to assist in choosing neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer patients.
- Breast cancer
- chemoresponse
- pathologic response
- chemosensitivity assay
- chemosensitivity resistance assay (CSRA)
- ChemoFx®
Footnotes
- Received December 19, 2007.
- Revision received February 4, 2008.
- Accepted February 15, 2008.
- Copyright© 2008 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. John G. Delinassios), All rights reserved