Cloning of a human cancer cell line (NSCLC-N6) and comparative study of the clones in vitro.

Non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) is a particularly serious disease because of its chemoresistance to current treatments. To investigate the nature of his generally innate resistance, we cloned an established cell line (NSCLC-N6) derived from a non-small cell bronchopulmonary carcinoma. Four cell subpopulations (C15, C65, C92 and C98) were isolated from the mother line. These four clones were studied in comparison with each other for cell doubling time in vitro, ploidy, chemosensitivity in vitro, cytogenetic, expression of the oncogene erb-B2 and other tumor markers (Kr, CEA and Chr A). Each clone shows a distinct biologic pattern for various biological parameters. Our results indicated hat cell doubling time (in vitro) increased when the hyperploid population was prevailing. The clones differ in their chemosensitivity to therapeutic agents. This cellular diversity might help to explain why these tumors are chemoresistant. This heterogeneity within NSCLC tumors should be taken into consideration in the choice of treatment.