A continuous cell line derived from a human primary cutaneous melanoma: Morphologic and karyologic properties

Abstract
A continuous tissue culture cell line, JD‐MEL, derived from a primary cutaneous human malignant melanoma, is described. The cultured cells retain the characteristic epithelial morphology of the tumor of origin. The malignant nature of the cell line was demonstrated by the lack of contact inhibition, multilayered growth pattern and the ability to produce tumors in athymic BALB/c mice. Chromosome analysis revealed a near tetraploidy. Distinctive marker chromosomes and a female karyotype were present. No recognizable melanin pigment was identified in the cultured cells.