Tissue culture studies of malignant effusions.

This study reports attempts to culture tumour cells from 51 malignant effusions using standard tissue culture techniques. Cultures proliferating for more than one month were derived from 42 effusions including 24/32 from breast cancer patients and 5/6 from colon carcinomata. The morphology of these cells and their culture characteristics were compared with that of cells derived from a benign effusion. A common cell type--believed to be of mesothelial origin--was found in all cultures. In addition, fibroblastic cells were common and smaller pleomorphic cells, possibly tumour cells, were found in many effusions. The mesothelial cells were often multinucleated and grew for long periods. Although the tumour cells grew in conjunction with the mesothelial cells, all attempts at separation have failed. These studies indicate that cells derived from malignant effusions may be largely of mesothelial origin although tumour cells may also be present. The use of short-term cultures of malignant effusions as the source of cells for use as target cells in cytotoxicity tests and in chemotherapy assays is disscussed.