The potential use of microcalorimetry in predictive tests of the action of antineoplastic drugs on mammalian cells.

The effect of methotrexate (MTX) on cultured T-lymphoma cells in a growing suspension was measured by microcalorimetry. The effect of the drug could be observed within 2 h after its injection into the calorimetric vessel. A dose-response curve was constructed from the calorimetric results obtained with final concentrations of MTX in the range of 0.02-2.00 microM. In another series of experiments calorimetric values were determined after 8 h of MTX-cell interaction. These data were correlated with values for cell counts during an 18 h period following the removal of the drug. A clear correlation was found between the calorimetric and cytotoxicity data. Calorimetric results obtained within 8 h of MTX-cell interaction appear to be of value in predicting the antineoplastic effect of the drug.