Chromosome Observations on Three Epithelial-Cell Cultures Derived From Carcinomas of the Human Cervix23

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Epithelial cultures were grown from biopsies of 3 invasive squamous carcinomas of the cervix and observed in vitro for 6, 9, and 10 months, respectively. The 3 tumors differed clinically in their growth pattern and radio-sensitivity, and histologically, in their degree of differentiation. In vitro, each had a characteristic growth pattern, particularly in respect to cell morphology, cohesiveness, and stratification. When grown in cellulose sponge, the histologic features resembled squamous carcinoma. The 3 cultures had modal chromosome numbers of 45, 51, and 120–130, respectively. The culture with 45 chromosomes had an extra #3, and an additional abnormal large metacentric; one #2, one #16–18, and either one #6–12 + X or one #13–15 were absent. In the culture with 51 chromosomes, one #3 was absent; there were 5 extra #6–12 + X, and 1 extra #19–20. The culture with the modal number of 120–130 had many grossly abnormal chromosomes and a relative excess of metacentrics. These chromosome patterns were identical on several occasions, and also in different sublines within each culture.