[Predictive chemotherapy of breast cancer directed by MTT assay in vitro].

OBJECTIVE

The predictive value of in vitro MTT assay for chemotherapy to breast cancer patients was studied.

METHODS

Of the 156 advanced breast cancer patients, 83 had had MTT assay before chemotherapy. According to the result of the MTT assay, 73 patients in MTT sensitive group received chemotherapy. The other 10 patients in MTT resistant group and 73 patients in the control group were given chemotherapy according to clinician' experience.

RESULTS

The response rate in MTT sensitive group was 76.7% (56/73). There was statistically significant difference as compared with 0(0/10) in the resistant group and 43.8% (32/73) in the control group. Between MTT sensitive group and control group, similar results were obtained at different therapeutic phases, in the subgroups of most lesions and chemotherapeutic schemes. Both the relapse rate and mortality rate were reduced remarkably in the MTT sensitive group. But there was no difference in the median remission and survival of relapsed patients in the two groups. Between in vitro and in vivo, the overall coincident rate was 79.5% [(56 + 10)/83].

CONCLUSION

The in vitro MTT assay can predict chemotherapy for breast cancer giving satisfactory results.