Feasibility assessment of in vitro chemoresponse assay on stereotactic biopsies of glioblastoma multiforms: a step towards personalized medicine

Abstract

<em>Objective(s):</em>P<em> In vitro</em> chemosensitivity and resistance assays (CSRAs) are a promising tool for personalized treatment of glioblastoma multiform (GBM). These assays require a minimum of 1 to 2 g of tumor specimen for testing, but this amount is not always accessible. We aimed to assess the feasibility and validity of utilizing stereotactic biopsies of GBM in CSRAs. <br/><em>Materials and Methods:</em> Single cell suspension was prepared from 1 g weight explants of the established xenograft tumor of GBM. Also, primary culture was carried out on 35 mg weight specimens, as a surrogate for stereotactic biopsies. Then, chemoresponse profile of cells obtained by direct cell disaggregation and primary culture was determined using temozolomide and carmustine by clonogenic assay[AGA1] . <br/><em>Results:</em> There was no statistically significant difference in the cytotoxicity of temozolomide and carmustine between cells obtained from both methods. <br/><em>Conclusion:</em> This work supports the feasibility of using stereotactic biopsies of GBM in CSRAs.