| [ Summary ] |
A chemosensitivity test was initiated because of the observation that differential chemosensitivity occurs in cancers of the same histological type and originating in the same organ. When the Japan Research Society for Appropriate Cancer Chemotherapy set out to summarize the present status of chemosensitivity testing for antitumor agents in Japan in 1997, the results showed that chemosensitivity tests were performed in 42 institutes where a total of 2 in vivo and 10 in vitro assays were carried out. The correlation of in vitro and in vivo results revealed 215 true positive (S/S), 246 false positive (S/R), 45 false negative (R/S) and 595 true negative (R/R) cases, resulting in rates of 47% for true positives and 93% for true negatives, and a 74% accuracy rate. Chemosensitivity testing is widely used in this country and has a highly accurate predictive value for advanced carcinomas. Meta-analysis was conducted at Keio University and the National Tokyo Medical Center, making 7 comparisons between chemosensitivity and adjuvant cancer chemotherapy for gastric cancer, results indicated that the sensitive group will have a favorable survival outcome compared to insensitive group. Approval by the social insurance agency is essential to further investigate the use of chemosensitivity testing as a part of routine clinical examinations. |