presence of both mesenchymal and carcinomatous features in an in-vitro model of ovarian carcinosarcoma derived from patients' ascitic fluid.

we have refined the technique for isolating and propagating cultures of primary ovarian carcinosarcoma cells (oscs) derived from ascites, which allowed the cells to obtain the biphasic features of carcinosarcoma in cell culture conditions (presence of both carcinoma and mesenchymal morphologic types). this protocol involves a simple yet rapid method for the growth and propagation of ascites osc in a basal culture medium. autologous ascitic fluid was used as source of growth factors, and minimal manipulation was involved to establish the culture. the methodology allowed for the direct application of multiple molecular, cellular, and functional analyses within a few weeks of initial cell isolation, with the further potential of retrospective analyses of archived cells and tissues.