Heterogeneity of tumor cells.

V Ujházy, J Siracký

Index: Antibiot. Chemother. 28 , 120-2, (1980)

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Abstract

Investigations of cell clones isolated in vitro, or selected in vivo, have shown that tumor cell populations are heterogenous. The isolated cell clones or cell subpopulations originating from a single tumor may differ in a variety of biological and biochemical characteristics. Genetic lability and selective pressure are the most probable mechanisms by which a proliferating tumor cell population becomes heterogenous. Differences in drug sensitivity of cell subpopulations within a tumor represent a major limitation in tumor sampling procedures for tests predictive of effective chemotherapy. Different drug sensitivity was found when comparing human cancer cell samples from a primary solid tumor with those obtained from ascites, different metastatic nodes, or even in samples from different areas within the same tumor.