Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH) for the Characterization and Monitoring of Primary Cultures from Human Tumors

Genetic and drug sensitivity assays on primary cultures are not only of basic but also translational interest could eventually aid oncologists in the selection treatments. However, cancer cells need to be identified differentiated from non-tumor always present cultures. Also, successive passages can change proportions these two subpopulations. In this study, we propose fluorescence situ hybridization (FISH) analysis cell smears determine presence tumor obtained patients carrying translocations or copy number gains. FISH proved an easy, fast, economic, reliable method characterizing populations, which used repeatedly at different monitor variations confirm maintenance gains throughout culture process.