ESTABLISHMENT AND PROPERTIES OF HUMAN GERM-CELL TUMORS IN TISSUE-CULTURE

  • 1 January 1981
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 41  (4) , 1422-1427
Abstract
Monolayer cultures of 9 human testicular germ cell tumors were attempted, and 5 were established as proliferating long-term cultures. All 5 grew in suspension in nutrient agar, but 3 proliferated in monolayer culture only when in contact with stromal cells derived from the tumors. Two were established as pure lines and one was cloned. All contain elevated levels of alkaline phosphatase, .apprx. 1/2 of which displays placental isoenzymic characteristics. Three tumor cultures formed differentiated tissues and synthesized significant quantities of .beta.-chorionic gonadotrophin or carcinoembryonic antigen for a brief period after a 5 mo. culture. These properties were subsequently lost and could not be reinduced.

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