Study of the Relationship between Abnormalities in Nuclear DNA and Drug Sensitivity of Human Gynecological Cancer Transplanted into Nude Mice

Abstract

The relationship between abnormalities in nuclear DNA and anticancer-drug sensitivity of human gynecological cancer transplanted into nude mice is reported. Nuclear DNA content was expressed in terms of the DNA index (DI) and heterogeneity index score (HIS) using flow cytometry (FCM). Southern blot analysis was used to examine changes in DNA and in observed abnormal-size DNA fragments. Drug sensitivity was carried out according to a procedure described by Battelle Columbus Laboratories. The results were as follows: (1) Tumors with a high degree of DNA content were more sensitive to anticancer drugs than tumors with less DNA damage. (2) Severe heterogeneity of nuclear DNA caused drug resistance.