Tumor Apoptosis Viability Assay (TAVA)

Historically, in vitro growth-based tumor resistance assays have been used to predict a patient’s in vivo response to chemotherapy. Growth-based assays measure a fraction of tumor cells surviving exposure to a chemotherapeutic agent, thus detecting drug resistance of tumor cells.  An alternative approach is to measure the amount of cell death occurring in response to a drug, not the ability of the cell to “grow through” the drug treatment.

In the modern drug era of combating cancer, targeted therapeutics, antibodies and small molecules are being used to engage apoptotic pathways to induce tumor cell death. Recent studies have dissected the molecular elements associated with activation of apoptotic pathways (Apoptotic Pathway).  Furthermore, induction of apoptosis has been shown to correlate with tumor response and patient survival in human cancers (Carcinogenesis 2000 21 (3) p. 485-95; Drug Resis Updat 2001 4 (2) p. 132-4)).  Thus, the older tumor resistance-sensitivity assays may be useful for chemotherapy choices, but are not predictive for modern targeted drug mechanisms. 

Apoptotic Pathway Figure under development. 

Currently, Biocytics™ is developing a tumor apoptosis viability assay (TAVA) to be used for in vitro drug screening to predict in vivo tumor response.  Biocytics™’ TAVA does not rely on growth of tumor cells, and therefore can be used for tumor cells with a low proliferative index.  In addition, the TAVA may provide insight into molecular pathways engaged by targeted anti-cancer agents and chemotherapeutics.  This information may be obtained by a high-throughput platform that can be readily adapted to measure new drug targets as they become available. 

Created as a high-throughput multiplex assay, the TAVA will provide drug efficacy data that can be used by oncologists for developing individualized treatment regimens, ultimately leading to increased patient response, tumor regression, and prolonged survival.