IN-VITRO UPTAKE OF BROMODEOXYURIDINE BY HUMAN NASOPHARYNGEAL CARCINOMA (NPC) AND ITS RELATION TO CLINICAL FINDINGS

A cell kinetic study of 27 newly diagnosed patients with nasopharyngea l carcinoma (NPC) using the in vitro bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) techniqu e was performed. The results were reproducible as demonstrated by thre e independent sections performed on each patient. No correlation betwe en BrdU labelling index (LI) and Ho's clinical staging was found. A hi gher LI was associated with the development of distant metastases (P = 0.057). Statistically significant correlation was found between low L I and longer duration required to achieve complete remission in the pr imary site of disease (P = 0.026). This study suggests a potential rol e for in vitro BrdU labelling index as a prognosticator for NPC prior to treatment.