Visit our Expo - Redox and Inflammation signaling 2012

Session X : Cell death in cancer Poster X, 69
A new method to assess drug sensitivity on breast tumor acute slices preparation
Pedro Mestres1, Andrea Morguet1, Werner Schmidt2, Axel Kob3, Ralf Ehret3
Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology1, Clinic for Gynecology2, University of
Saarland, D-66421 Homburg, Bionas Inc. 3, D-18119 Rostock. Germany
The method described is based on: 1) preparation of tissue slices and 2) use of silicon chips
equipped with electrochemical sensors (multisensor array). The slices (200-300 µm thick) are
prepared after surgery and incubated in a medium for recovery after slicing. The advantage,
compared to other preparations, is that the original three-dimensional structure is retained.
Multisensor arrays measure: 1) pericellular acidification (anaerobic metabolism) and 2)
oxygen consumption (respiration). The innovative aspect is that such measurements can be
made online, as opposed to the large battery of endpoint tests on cell vitality and proliferation.
Electron microscopy of slices serves to determine cell density, structure and induction of
apoptosis/necrosis.
Over 200 breast tumors were used. Inhibition of metabolic activities was performed with
sodium fluoride, which dose-dependently reduces glycolysis, and potassium cyanide which
inhibits respiration. In other experiments cytostatics were applied, providing results obtained
with Taxol, an anti-cytoskeleton agent. In addition, the application of beta-adrenergic receptor
agonists, creates a situation in which metabolic patterns associated with ligand receptor
interaction can be observed all the time. In conclusion, the methodology presented here, is
able to provide information on drug sensitivity of a tumor, of assistance in designing
individualized therapy and for drug-screening. (supported by BMBF to PM)
- 402 -