full free access: The Role of In Vitro Directed Chemotherapy in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer

Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) continues to be the most lethal gynecologic malignancy. Efforts to personalize chemotherapy treatments by utilizing in vitro tumor assays to predict chemotherapeutic response have been tested in both the primary and recurrent treatment setting. To date, several retrospective studies have suggested improved response rates to predicted chemotherapeutic agents. However, a prospective, controlled trial merely found equivalence between in vitro prediction and empirical treatment selection. This review summarizes the current data regarding in vitro directed chemotherapy in EOC.

Conclusions: In vitro chemotherapy sensitivity and resistance testing may still hold promise for clinical decision-making, improved survival, and limiting unnecessary toxicity in the treatment of EOC. Given the current limitations and lack of randomized, controlled results, these assays are best used in the setting of a clinical trial.