Spontaneous in vitro transformation of primary human osteoblast-like cells.

BACKGROUND Two new tumor-like cell lines were established which developed spontaneously in vitro from normal human primary osteoblast-like cells originating from non-oncogenic bone surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS The tumor cell properties studied included morphology, proliferation characteristics in normal and low-serum media, and anchorage-independent growth in soft agarose. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION Karyotyping of the cells showed numerous rearrangements and abnormalities. These results pointed to the tumorigenic potential of the cells and demonstrate the importance of biosafety in tissue engineering and therapeutic cell applications when prolonged culture conditions are required.