National Cancer Institute - NCI Division of Cancer Treatment and ...

information is available on DTP’s Website:
http://dtp.nci.nih.gov/docs/misc/
common_files/submit_compounds.html.
In September 2005, DTP’s human tumor
cell line in vitro screening assay was
reviewed by a panel of extramural experts.
Because of reproducibility issues, DTP’s
standard operating procedures were evaluated,
and a series of recommendations
was made to improve quality control.
New Screening Assays
http://spheroid.ncifcrf.gov/STB/
stb_index.cfm
Although NCI’s human tumor cell line
screen remains the benchmark, DTP’s
Screening Technologies Branch is developing
and operating new in vitro screening
technologies, including high-throughput
molecularly targeted screens, computational
tools for new approaches to data
mining, dynamic data visualization tools,
and cell-free biophysical assays of macromolecular
interactions.
The branch’s labs and offices are located
on the NCI-Frederick campus and are
operated under a contract with Scientific
Applications International Corporation
(SAIC)–Frederick.
In Vivo Testing
http://dtp.nci.nih.gov/branches/btb/
hfa.html
In 1995, DTP implemented a new way to
test the activity of potential anticancer
compounds using cells grown inside
biocompatible hollow fibers. The hollow
fiber assay, developed by Dr. Melinda
Hollingshead, chief of DTP’s Biological
Testing Branch, has the ability to provide
quantitative indices of drug efficacy in
heterogeneous tumors with minimal
expenditures of time and materials. This
system currently is being used as the
initial in vivo experience for agents
found to have reproducible activity
in the in vitro anticancer drug screen.
The hollow fiber assay has several advantages
over standard animal efficacy models.
First, demonstrating that potential
anticancer agents have in vivo efficacy in
one or more animal models of neoplastic
NCI Visuals Online, Linda Bartlett, photographer.
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