Human tumor primary cell cultures are used to reflect the molecular individuality of patient tumors with selectivity for tumor cells. Molecular profiles are close to patients tumors when analyzed within a week after surgery. Comparative analysis of fresh frozen tissue allows controlling for molecular variation between primary cells and original tumors. A methodological advantage is availability of tumor cell suspensions for studying surface molecules and isolating specific cell types (FACS, magnetic beads). It allows determination of drug effects on proliferation (BrdU-assay) and it allows to study in parallel toxicity to normal cells (fibroblasts). Disadvantages are the lack of natural tumor environment such as stroma cells and the risk for biological selection because processing success rate is < 50% of cases. Requirement of tumor cell attachment to plastic might also affect the predictability of this model.
