CORRELATION OF DRUG RESISTANCE-ASSOCIATED PARAMETERS IN OVARIAN TUMOR-BIOPSIES

This work compares glutathione levels, glutathione S-transferase activ ities and isoenzyme expression, metallothionein levels and P-glycoprot ein expression in normal ovaries, and in epithelial ovarian tumor biop sies from patients prior to chemotherapy or following relapse. These p arameters have been implicated as determinants of response to cytotoxi c chemotherapy. Large differences were found between normal ovary and ovarian tumors, but no significant differences were observed between t umors taken before or after cytotoxic chemotherapy. These data do not support a role for these biochemical parameters in the decreased respo nse seen in patients with recurrent or progressive disease.