Immortalization in culture: occurrence at a late stage in the progression of breast cancer
Smith, H.S.; Wolman, S.R.; Dairkee, S.H.; Hancock, M.C.; Lippman, M.; Leff, A.; Hackett, A.J.
Journal of the National Cancer Institute 78(4): 611-615
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 0027-8874 PMID: 3470538 Document Number: 296696
The properties in culture of 3 breast cancer effusion metastases, obtained over approximately 2 years from the same patient, were examined. Despite repeated attempts with cryopreserved cells, only the last specimen reproducibly exhibited immortality in culture; the first 2 specimens grew initially but failed to develop into cell lines. Each specimen was unique in morphology and growth properties, although karyotypic markers indicated a common origin. Aberrations of chromosomes 1 and 11 marked these near-diploid cells, and further structural alterations of chromosome 11 accompanied the transition of biological properties observed in the third specimen.