In vitro detection of resistance to oxaliplatin in cancer cells, by measuring mitochondrial apoptosis, and the use of stimulators of mitochondrial apoptosis to overcome resistance

摘要

An in vitro method for detecting resistance of cancer cells (CC) to treatment with oxaliplatin (I) comprises measuring mitochondrial apoptosis of CC that have been, or could be, treated with (I), or before treatment, is new. Independent claims are also included for: (1) a similar method comprising detecting at least one mutation that indicates a defect in mitochondrial apoptosis when cells are treated with (I), particularly a mutation in a region of the Bax gene that contains a series of 8 deoxyguanines; (2) method for selecting agents (II) that inhibit resistance of CC to (I); (3) use of at least one agent (III) that stimulates mitochondrial apoptosis to prepare a composition for use in patients with (or at risk of developing) resistance to (I); (4) product/composition containing (I) and at least one (III); (5) kit for diagnosing resistance of cancer to (I); and (6) the cell HCT116/S, deposited as CNCM I-3051.