Effect of cisplatin exposure on platinum accumulation and growth inhibition in human neoplastic and normal squamous epithelial cells of the mucosa ofthe upper-aerodigestive tract

The aim of the present study was to investigate how normal head and neck ep ithelial cells (NHNEC) respond to cisplatin compared to their neoplastic co unterparts with respect to intracellular platinum (Pt) levels and growth in hibition. A colorimetric assay was used to assess growth inhibition after e xposure to cisplatin for 72 h. Growth inhibition did not differ between cul tures of neoplastic (n = 5) and normal cells (n = 5). Intracellular Pt leve ls, determined with atomic absorption spectroscopy were about 30-fold highe r in the normal epithelial cells. The main finding of this study is that no rmal epithelial cells from the head and neck region have a much higher tole rance for cisplatin than their neoplastic counterparts. Interestingly, this characteristic is without consequence for growth inhibition. (C) 1999 Else vier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.