The in Vitro Chromosome Constitution of Cells from Human Tumors

Abstract

Summary The chromosome constitution was determined in nine established, long-term cultures of cells obtained from the effusions or excised tissues of cancer patients. The cultures were characterized by chromosome modes near the triploid range (66–75), with a considerable spread of the chromosome number about the mode. Analysis of the karyotypes revealed that most of the chromosomes could be grouped superficially into the various groups described for the normal human karyotype. The heteroploidy of the cells was due to extrasomy of all groups, with the exception of group G, which was usually in the diploid range. New, marker chromosomes were present in most of the cell lines examined.