In situ chromosome preparation technique for simultaneous cytogenetic and immunocytochemical studies on cell cultures of solid tumors.

Immunophenotyping of cultured cancer cells requires intact antigenic structures; these are mostly destroyed by conventional chromosome preparation techniques. Thus, the simultaneous cytogenetic and immunocytochemical characterization of solid tumor cells appears unfeasible. Here, we describe a novel method that allows in situ chromosome preparation from monolayer cultures of solid tumor cells without affecting their immunological features. Using this technique, it is possible to achieve detailed cytogenetic data including chromosome banding together with the demonstration of cytoplasmic and nuclear antigens within the same tumor cells.