[Flow cytometric studies of brain tumors--5: New sensitivity test of antineoplastic agents for brain tumors and its clinical application].

Flow cytometry (FCM) has been used not only for the judgement of malignant tumor cells but also for the evaluation of chemotherapy. Recently, we established a new application of FCM for the choice of the best antineoplastic agent in the chemotherapy of brain tumor. At first, the system of sensitivity test was developed through the preliminary study using established brain tumor cell line. Antineoplastic agents were contacted with the cells in the monolayered culture and the cell viability and the changes of DNA-histogram were analyzed by FCM. The cell viability was measured with the staining of fluorescein diacetate, and DNA-histogram was analyzed by the staining of propidium iodide. The best agent was judged based on the changes of the cell viability and cell cycle. The cytocidal and cytostatic effects were evaluated quantitatively, showing coincidence with the sensitivity of the cells to the appropriate antineoplastic agent. Secondary, this system was applied for the 15 malignant tumor cases. In these cases, the best antineoplastic agent could be selected through this method. Present system will be applied for the clinical cases continuously. Sensitivity test by FCM could be established in vitro system, and will be of much value clinically.