GRADIENT SEPARATION OF NORMAL AND MALIGNANT CELLS .2. APPLICATION TO INVIVO TUMOR DIAGNOSIS

  • 1 January 1978
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 22  (6) , 584-588
Abstract
Discontinuous Ficoll and Isopaque-Ficoll gradients were used in separating malignant from non-malignant cells from a variety of sources. Most of the material was from effusions but there is no theoretical restriction of the methods to effusions. Animal and human materials were studied utilizing non-malignant as well as malignant material, the former acting as controls. In the discontinuous Ficoll gradient, concentration of malignant cells at a specific interface was mainly a function of cell density. While most malignant cells banded in the last 2 fractions, adenocarcinomas, especially those high in mucus (which decreases total cell density) banded higher in the gradient. The Isopaque-Ficoll technique also proved useful in concentrating malignant cells. The advantage of the discontinuous Ficoll gradient was its ability to separate cells from small specimens (1-10 .times. 106 cells). The Isopaque-Ficoll gradient was preferable for processing specimens of larger volumes.