Tumor slice culture system to assess drug response of primary breast cancer. Issue 1 (December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Naipal, Kishan; Verkaik, Nicole; Sánchez, Humberto; van Deurzen, Carolien; den Bakker, Michael; Hoeijmakers, Jan; Kanaar, Roland; Vreeswijk, Maaike; Jager, Agnes; van Gent, Dik
• Is Part Of: BMC cancer. Volume 16:Issue 1(2016)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 13
• Publication Date: 2016-12
• Subjects: Breast cancer -- Organotypic tumor tissue slices -- Tissue culture method -- FAC chemotherapy -- Ex vivo sensitivity; Cancer -- Periodicals; 616.994005
• DOI: 10.1186/s12885-016-2119-2
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1471-2407

Abstract

Abstract Background The high incidence of breast cancer has sparked the development of novel targeted and personalized therapies. Personalization of cancer treatment requires reliable prediction of chemotherapy responses in individual patients. Effective selection can prevent unnecessary treatment that would mainly result in the unwanted side effects of the therapy. This selection can be facilitated by characterization of individual tumors using robust and specific functional assays, which requires development of powerful ex vivo culture systems and procedures to analyze the response to treatment. Methods We optimized culture methods for primary breast tumor samples that allowed propagation of tissue ex vivo. We combined several tissue culture strategies, including defined tissue slicing technology, growth medium optimization and use of a rotating platform to increase nutrient exchange. Results We could maintain tissue cultures for at least 7 days without losing tissue morphology, viability or cell proliferation. We also developed methods to determine the cytotoxic response of individual tumors to the chemotherapeutic treatment FAC (5-FU, Adriamycin [Doxorubicin] and Cyclophosphamide). Using this tool we designated tumors as sensitive or resistant and distinguished a clinically proven resistant tumor from other tumors. Conclusion This method defines conditions that allow ex vivo testing of individual tumor responses to anti-cancer drugs and therefore might improve personalization of breast cancer treatment.