Response of selected tumour cell populations separated from a fibrosarcoma following irradiationin situwith fast neutrons

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Abstract
Selected populations of mouse fibrosarcoma cells separated on density gradients of Renografin were characterized with respect to distribution in the cell cycle, clonogenic ability and reponse to radiation. The latter parameters were related to density of the cells, denser populations being less clonogenic but more resistant to low and high LET [linear energy transfer] radiation. These cells effectively repair potentially lethal damage if allowed to remain in situ following exposure to low LET radiation. This repair ability is not observed following neutron irradiation. Cells left in situ are relatively more sensitive to low doses of low or high LET radiation. This difference in response is believed to be due to differences in the expression of damage by cells left in situ as compared to those assayed immediately. These data reflect the usefulness of cell separation methods in the study of solid tumor systems. These methods reduce the heterogeneity found in the solid tumor by allowing for the isolation of subpopulations which can be studied individually or in relation to the entire tumor.