Variations in response of human brain tumors to BCNU in vitro.

A microtiter assay was used to study the sensitivity of 24 cultured human astrocytomas to the chemotherapeutic agent 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1 nitrosourea (BCNU). The tumor cell lines testes originated from patients who were being treated with post-operative chemotherapy within the past 24 months. At a dose level comparable to the maximum in vivo therapeutic dose level, 18 of the 24 cell lines tested showed a significant response to the drug. If in vitro response can eventually be correlated with clinical response, this microtiter assay could help to form a basis for planning more specific chemotherapeutic treatment.