EVALUATION OF PACLITAXEL (TAXOL), CISPLATIN, AND THE COMBINATION PACLITAXEL-CISPLATIN IN OVARIAN-CANCER IN-VITRO WITH THE ATP CELL VIABILITY ASSAY

This study evaluates the in vitro sensitivities of 42 ovarian cancer s pecimens to the new anticancer agent Paclitaxel (taxol, Tx), cisplatin (DDP), and the combination Tx-DDP with the adenosine triphosphate cel l viability assay (ATP-CVA). In vitro response is defined by greater-t han-or-equal-to 50% ATP decrease compared to untreated controls 6-7 da ys after drug treatment with 20% of the peak plasma concentration (PPC ). Response rates were 12% to Tx, 19% to DDP, and 27% to Tx + DDP. The mean IC50's of Tx, DDP, and the combination Tx-DDP were (2.6x, 1.0x, and 0.38X PPC, respectively). The mean inhibition of cell viability wa s significantly greater with drug combinations compared to single drug s. In 7/11 tumors synergistic effects and in 2/11 additive effects wer e found between Tx and DDP. We conclude that based on ATP-CVA in vitro results, Tx-DDP shows significantly better activity compared to each of the single drugs in ovarian cancer. (C) 1994 Academic Press, Inc.