Comparison of the usefulness of the MTT, ATP, and calcein assays to predict the potency of cytotoxic agents in various human cancer cell lines

Cell viability assays are important tools in oncological research and clinical practice to assess the tumor cell sensitivity of individual patients. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the comparability of 3 widely used assays (MTT, ATP, calcein assays) by principal component analysis. The study included 4 different cytostatics (cisplatin, docetaxel, doxorubicin, vinblastine) and 3 different human cancer cell lines (MCF-7, A2780, doxorubicin resistant A2780adr). Ninety-three percent of the total variance of all variables included in the principal component analysis (resulting from 3 cell lines and 3 assays) could be explained by 1 principal component. Factor loadings were > 0.937 except for the variable MTT-A2780adr, which was 0.872. These results indicate the similarity of the 3 assays. A 2nd principal component analysis included literature data and showed accordance of data from this study and the literature. The MTT assay was further improved as a high-throughput screening-capable assay. The ATP assay is able to detect effects of cytostatics already after 1 h incubation. The determination of resistance factors allowed to differentiate cytostatics into P-gp or non-P-gp substrates. In conclusion, this study provides improved microplate reader-based cell viability assays and sets a statistically solid basis for a future comparison of data obtained in different laboratories by any of the 3 assays.