In-Vitro Cloning Techniques for Hemopoietic Cells: Clinical Applications

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Abstract
Proliferating populations of neutrophils, monocytes, eosinophils, erythroid cells and T[thymus-derived]-lymphocytes from normal subjects or patients with various diseases can now be analyzed by colony formation in semisolid cultures. These cultures accurately determine the number and proliferative activity of the precursor cells of each population and can also be used to monitor the levels of specific regulatory factors (e.g., erythropoietin, colony-stimulating factor) in the serum or urine of such patients. Studies using semisolid cultures showed that cells in chronic and acute myeloid leukemias remain dependent on the normal regulator, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, for proliferation. The cultures proved valuable in the prognostic assessment of acute leukemic patients and in monitoring impending changes in the clinical status of patients with acute or chronic myeloid leukemia or myeloproliferative disorders.
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