Are generic multisource (generic) chemotherapy (CT) drugs as effective as proprietary single-source (proprietary) drugs: Evidence from in vitro CT-induced apoptosis (APOP) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), colorectal cancer (Colon CA) compared to recurrent/metastatic breast carcinoma (Breast CA).

e13003 Background: We have demonstrated that cancer cells from patients (Pts) with recurrent or metastatic Breast CA frequently show as much or better APOP with Generics compared to Proprietaries (separately submitted to ASCO, 2012). We have compared these observations to in vitro APOP in Pts with NSCLC and Colon CA. Methods: Purified tumor cells from Pt biopsies were placed into short term culture using the microculture kinetic (MiCK) assay. APOP was analyzed every five minutes over 48 hours. APOP was defined in kinetic units (KU) of apoptosis. Significant APOP was > 1.0 KU, significant differences between individual assays were defined as > 0.57 KU based on replicate analyses. Results from Breast CA, Colon CA and NSCLC were compared. Results: 41 Pts with NSCLC, 8 Pts with Colon CA and 67 Pts with Breast CA had successful cultures. Generics produced APOP greater than Proprietaries in 25/32 Pts with NSCLC (78%), 4/7 Pts with Colon CA (57%) and 36/43 Pts (84%) with Breast CA. Generics produced APOP = Propr...