Characterization of a human myxoid malignant fibrous histiocytoma cell line, OH931.

Malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH), the most common soft-tissue sarcoma of late adult life, includes several histopathologic subtypes. The myxoid MFH subtype is characterized by the presence of abundant mucopolysaccharide within a loose connective tissue stroma. Although the myxoid variant is typically distinguished clinically by its better prognosis, we report a case of myxoid MFH that exhibited an aggressive phenotype with early metastases and death. A cell line, OH931, was established from this myxoid MFH. The primary tumor, OH931 cell line, and cells recovered from tumors generated in nude mice shared similar morphologic features, including the continued production of abundant mucopolysaccharide. Cytogenetic analysis of the primary tumor and a subsequently established cell line (OH931) revealed a complex hypertriploid mainline. Chromosomal breakpoints involved in all three specimens analyzed (diagnostic biopsy, definitive surgical, and cell line) included 1p33, 1q21, 2p14, 4p15, 5q13, 12q13, 14p13, 15p13, 19q13 and 20q13.1. The OH931 cell line, which appears to maintain its peculiar characteristics in vitro, should be useful in studies investigating the role of mucopolysaccharide production in the process of neoplasia.