Conclusivity of Cytotoxicity and Drug Susceptibility Tests

Cytotoxicity and drug susceptibility tests are very similar tests, but they measure different parameters in cells. In cytotoxicity tests, compounds are measured against cells, usually eukaryote cells, for their toxicity, whereas, drug susceptibility tests measure the extent at which a compound can kill or inhibit the growth of organisms (usually prokaryote cells). However, the problem is that compounds contain many different type of chemical substances, and the mechanisms that are activated for cells to undergo arrest, differ between cell kinds and chemical compounds used when performing the mentioned tests. Furthermore, as to whether the result outcomes of cytotoxicity and drug susceptibility tests are trustworthy enough, could be a factor for consideration. In addition, cytotoxicity and drug susceptibility tests can only be considered to be successful if the chemical substance/s (i.e. compounds) under investigation triggers a cascade of cellular events, which are catalysed by enzymes. In eukaryote and bacterial cells, cytotoxicity and drug susceptibility test outcomes rely on nuclear events in order for the toxicity of the tested compound to be successfully determined after screening is completed. In this article, the conclusivity of cytotoxicity and drug susceptibility tests would form the focus of discussion, but emphasise on all the factors that affect the conclusivity of these tests would not form the basis of this paper.