Abstract: An improved system for screening a multiple of candidate therapeutic or chemotherapeutic agents for efficacy as to a specific patient, in which a tissue sample from the patient is harvested, cultured and separately exposed to a plurality of treatments and/or therapeutic agents for the purpose of objectively identifying the best treatment or agent for the particular patient. The system includes the initial preparation of cohesive multicellular particulates of the tissue sample, rather than enzymatically dissociated cell suspensions or preparations, for initial tissue culture monolayer preparation. Practical monolayers of cells may thus be formed to enable meaningful screening of a plurality of treatments and/or agents. By subjecting uniform samples of cells to a wide variety of active agents (and concentrations thereof), the most promising agent and concentration for treatment of a particular patient can be determined.

Abstract: An improved system for screening a multiple of candidate therapeutic or chemotherapeutic agents for efficacy as to a specific patient, in which a tissue sample from the patient is harvested, cultured and separately exposed to a plurality of treatments and/or therapeutic agents for the purpose of objectively identifying the best treatment or agent for the particular patient. Specific method innovations such as tissue sample preparation techniques render this method practically as well as theoretically useful. One particularly important tissue sample preparation technique is the initial preparation of cohesive multicellular particulates of the tissue sample, rather than enzymatically dissociated cell suspensions or preparations, for initial tissue culture monolayer preparation.

Abstract: A novel process for producing data characterizing nucleic acids in proliferating cells using a tandem protocol for simultaneously building and expanding genomics/proteomics cancer databases while coordinating present and future genomic/proteomic individual patient assays by collecting a tissue sample including the proliferating cells; mechanically dividing the sample into cohesive multicellular particulates, and growing and analyzing the resulting cells. Sets of genetic data can be analyzed along with sets of corresponding clinical data, including phenotypic data, to form profiles that can aid in identifying proliferative diseases and in prognoses. A method for diagnosing proliferative diseases using the described assay methods is also provided. Lastly, a computing device is provided which permits searching analysis and entry of the genetic data, the corresponding clinical data and/or profiles.

Abstract: Methods are provided for accurately predicting efficacy of chemotherapeutic agents. Methods of the invention increase the positive predictive value of chemosensitivity assays by assessing both the ability of a chemotherapeutic to destroy cells and the genetic propensity of those cells for resistance. Results obtained using methods of the invention provide insight into the in vivo effectiveness of a therapeutic, and lead to more effective chemotherapeutic treatment.

Abstract: An improved method for preparing a cell culture is disclosed. The method includes culturing a multicellular tissue explant in the presence of growth medium that is substantially free of enzymes capable of digesting the explant and, subsequently, removing the explant at a predetermined time.

Abstract: An improved system for screening a multiple of candidate therapeutic or chemotherapeutic agents for efficacy as to a specific patient, in which a tissue sample from the patient is harvested, cultured and separately exposed to a plurality of treatments and/or therapeutic agents for the purpose of objectively identifying the best treatment or agent for the particular patient. Specific method innovations such as tissue sample preparation techniques render this method practically as well as theoretically useful. One particularly important tissue sample preparation technique is the initial preparation of cohesive multicellular particulates of the tissue sample, rather than enzymatically dissociated cell suspensions or preparations, for initial tissue culture monolayer preparation.

Abstract: An improved system for screening a multiple of candidate therapeutic or chemotherapeutic agents for efficacy as to a specific patient, in which a tissue sample from the patient is harvested, cultured and separately exposed to a plurality of treatments and/or therapeutic agents for the purpose of objectively identifying the best treatment or agent for the particular patient. Specific method innovations such as tissue sample preparation techniques render this method practically as well as theoretically useful. The identity of the malignant cells in culture is advantageously confirmed using binding reagents/staining systems specific for epithelial cells, since carcinomas are ubiquitously epithelial in nature. Cells of interest and thus confirmed as epithelial/carcinomal may then be assayed for sensitive to an infinite variety of malignancy treating agents including chemotherapeutic agents, radiation, immunotherapy, and so on.

Abstract: A comprehensive and integrated system for monitoring (identifying, tracking and analyzing) an individual patient's malignancy or hyperproliferative syndrome through the duration of a malignancy or hyperproliferative syndrome as to a specific patient is provided. Specimens of a patient's cells are collected and mechanically separated into cohesive multicellular particulates. A tissue culture monolayer is grown from the multicellular particulates to form a prime culture, and the tissue culture is monitored over a period of time. The invention allows for study of the effect of various treatment methods on cellular production of vascular endothelial growth factor.

Abstract: A comprehensive and integrated system for monitoring (identifying, tracking and analyzing) an individual patient's malignancy through the duration of a malignancy as to a specific patient is provided. The method of the present invention allows for initial identification of a malignancy, identification of malignancy-specific cellular or secretal markers, identification of cellular or secreted markers indicative of complications, study of the invasiveness and aggressiveness of the malignancy, study of the growth rate of the malignancy, study of the effect of therapies on the malignancy as compared to control cells of the same patient (chemosensitivity versus toxicity) and the identification of a therapeutic index (i.e., the ratio of chemosensitivity:toxicity), study of tumor morphology and study of histological, cytochemical and immunocytochemical markers.

Abstract: An improved system for screening a multiple of candidate therapeutic or chemotherapeutic agents for efficacy as to a specific patient, in which a tissue sample from the patient is harvested, cultured and separately exposed to a plurality of treatments and/or therapeutic agents for the purpose of objectively identifying the best treatment or agent for the particular patient. The system includes the initial preparation of cohesive multicellular particulates of the tissue sample, rather than enzymatically dissociated cell suspensions or preparations, for initial tissue culture monolayer preparation. Practical monolayers of cells may thus be formed to enable meaningful screening of a plurality of treatments and/or agents. By subjecting uniform samples of cells to a wide variety of active agents (and concentrations thereof), the most promising agent and concentration for treatment of a particular patient can be determined.