SIMULATING CANCER-CELL KINETICS AFTER DRUG-TREATMENT - APPLICATION TOCISPLATIN ON OVARIAN-CARCINOMA

The kinetics of a cancer-cell population under the effects of an antit umoral drug is a topic of particular interest. Its theoretical underst anding, along with the improvement of experimental investigation techn iques, can indeed play an important role in antitumoral therapies deve lopment. Starting from the analysis of flowcytometric data, with the a id of computer simulation we are able to give a detailed, quantitative description of the main kinetic parameters describing drug action on cancer cells. In this paper we describe the main features of our inves tigation method, showing an application to Igrov-1 ovarian carcinoma c ells treated with cisplatin. Intermitotic time of phases, cell-cycle d elay, and block effects with consequent repair or cell mortality, in a wide range of drug doses and recovery times, are discussed and intere sting information about cisplatin action is found.