Cytogenetic analysis of four primary prostatic cultures.

Primary cell cultures were established from tissue specimens obtained from patients undergoing transurethral resection of the prostate. Cytogenetic analysis of these cultures revealed a normal male chromosomal complement from one and a 45,X karyotype from another patient with benign prostatic hyperplasia. In addition, a normal male chromosomal complement was observed from a moderately differentiated prostatic carcinoma, and a grossly abnormal karyotype was observed from a poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma of the prostate. This latter specimen contained a modal chromosome number of 84 with several consistent marker chromosomes including homogeneous staining regions and double minutes, and no normal chromosomes 3, 5, 10, 15 or Y. Primary prostatic cell cultures exhibit epithelial-specific keratin intermediate filament proteins, and, in conjunction with cytogenetic analysis, provide a model for the study of human prostate cancer.