Study of the heterogeneity of a human non-small cell bronchopulmonary epidermoid primary carcinoma: determination of the DNA content of NSCLCN6L2 cells and of cloned sub-populations.

A continuous cell line, NSCLCN6L2, was established in vitro from a human bronchopulmonary epidermoid carcinoma and then cloned on agar gel and by selective media. The DNA content of each sub-population was compared with that of the parent line by flow cytometry. This study showed the heterogeneity of the NSCLCN6L2 line and the possibility of selection by cloning distinct ploidy sub-populations (group 1: diploid lines; group 2: hypotetraploid lines; group 3: a diploid and tetraploid line); it also allowed the time-course of the evolving lines to be followed. Correlation of these results with other properties of the different sub-populations will provide a better understanding of their biological behavior, particularly of their chemosensitivity.