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Chemotherapy sensitivity testing: a key tool for personalized cancer treatment

Principles of chemotherapy sensitivity testing
The purpose of chemotherapy sensitivity testing is to determine the most effective treatment plan by testing the response of tumor cells to various chemotherapy drugs. Tumor cells were exposed to different chemotherapy drugs and cell viability (Viability) analysis was performed to evaluate the killing effect of the drugs. The lower the survival rate, the better the drug is against cancer cells, which can help doctors choose the best treatment plan and avoid using drugs that are ineffective or have serious side effects.
 
Advances in Circulating Tumor Cell (CTC) Technology
Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are cancer cells that break away from tumors and enter the bloodstream. Advanced CTC technology allows doctors to extract high-viability CTCs, meaning these cells are still viable and can be analyzed for viability. This provides doctors with dynamic data on the real-time effects of drugs on active cancer cells, helping to develop more precise treatment plans.
 
Limitations of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA)
In contrast, circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) is a fragment of DNA that is released into the blood after cancer cells die. Because ctDNA is inactive, it cannot be used in viability assays. Chemotherapy sensitivity testing of ctDNA can only be based on genetic mutation analysis and is used to detect genetic mutations and cancer markers in tumors. Still, ctDNA plays an important role in monitoring cancer mutations and tracking treatment progress.
 
Application of natural substances in chemotherapy sensitivity testing
In addition to traditional chemotherapy drugs, chemotherapy sensitivity testing can evaluate the anti-cancer potential of natural substances. Many natural compounds such as green tea, curcumin and quercetin have been shown to have anti-cancer properties. By including these natural substances in the test, doctors can evaluate whether they can be used as adjunctive therapies to enhance the effectiveness of treatments and reduce the side effects of chemotherapy.
 
Epigenetic analysis
Epigenetic changes are critical to the development of cancer. Through epigenetic analysis, doctors can understand abnormalities in gene expression in patients’ tumors and select drugs that can modulate gene expression accordingly. This technology makes treatment plans more personalized and improves efficacy.
 
Cell Viability Analysis
Cell viability analysis is one of the key steps in chemotherapy sensitivity testing and evaluates the survival rate of cancer cells after exposure to chemotherapy drugs. As CTC technology advances, viability assays can now be performed on viable cancer cells, providing more precise data on drug response.
 
Conclusion
Chemotherapy sensitivity testing plays a vital role in personalized cancer treatment. Through the development of CTC and ctDNA technology, doctors are able to more accurately assess how cancer cells respond to different drugs. The high survival rate of CTC technology enables viability analysis, providing data on the real-time impact of drugs, while ctDNA helps detect genetic mutations and monitor treatment effects. With the introduction of natural substances and epigenetic technologies, chemotherapy sensitivity testing has become more comprehensive, providing cancer patients with more personalized and precise treatment options.
 
Academic articles on chemotherapy sensitivity testing
  1. Mocellin, S., et al. (2009).
Detection of chemotherapy sensitivity and resistance: methods and clinical applications.
Cancer Treatment Reviews, 35(4), 377-382.
[DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2008.12.004](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctrv.2008.12.004)
 
  1. Yu, M., et al. (2011).
Isolation and characterization of circulating tumor cells.
“Journal of Cell Biology”, 13(2), 235-246.
[DOI: 10.1038/nrclinonc.2011.155](https://doi.org/10.1038/nrclinonc.2011.155)
 
  1. Haber, D. A., et al. (2011).
Circulating tumor cells and ctDNA in cancer management.
“Nature Reviews Clinical Oncology”, 8(10), 560-567.
[DOI: 10.1038/nrclinonc.2011.155](https://doi.org/10.1038/nrclinonc.2011.155)
 
  1. Jones, P. A., et al. (2002).
Epigenetic research on cancer.
Cell, 128(4), 683-692.
[DOI: 10.1016/S0092-8674(02)00661-6](https://doi.org/10.1016/S0092-8674(02)00661-6 )
 
Medical Disclaimer:
The information provided in this article is for educational and reference purposes only and does not constitute medical advice and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical diagnosis, treatment or advice . Always consult your physician or other qualified health professional with any questions you may have regarding your medical condition or medical problems. The content of this article is not intended to recommend any specific test, treatment, or medication and should not be considered such advice. If you develop symptoms or require medical assistance, please contact a medical professional promptly.