Establishment and characterization of two neoplastic cell lines (U-1285 and U-1568) derived from small cell carcinoma of the lung.

Two human cell lines have been established in vitro from patients with small cell carcinoma of the lung (SCC). The U-1285 line was derived from the classical small cell type of SCC while the U-1568 originated from a larger cell variant. The cell lines grow as suspension cultures and have been passaged continuously in vitro for 3 years (U-1285) and 2 years (U-1568), respectively. The malignant nature of the lines is suggested by their infinite growth potential, their capacity to form colonies in agarose and their aneuploidy. Both cell lines contain cytoplasmic electron dense particles indistinguishable from classical neurosecretory granules but only in U-1568 has hormone production (human chorion gonadotropin (alpha-HCG)) been proven. The U-1568 line produces carcino-embryonic antigen (CEA) while both U-1285 and U-1568 produce alpha-feto-protein (AFP). Chromosome analysis reveal aneuploidy of both lines. Among structural aberrations, involvement of chromosome 14 in U-1285 and chromosomes 1, 7 and 12 in U-1568 is interesting since alterations of these chromosomes have been described previously in other malignant conditions.