Cytogenetic findings in cell lines derived from four ovarian carcinomas.

Six cell lines, established from four primary ovarian carcinomas were examined cytogenetically. The lines varied greatly in their chromosome complement. All cells from the lines were aneuploid, although one cell line contained two populations having a pseudodiploid and a pseudotetraploid modal chromosome number. Every chromosome group was involved with loss and gain of chromosomes, but some individual chromosomes were more prone to aneuploidy than others. Chromosome #6 was the most stable throughout. Structural changes gave rise to many marker chromosomes. Although most markers were random and the majority unidentifiable, some abnormalities of clonal origin were found. Deletions especially of chromosome #1, were the most common change. Further sequential studies may elicit the origin, stability, and timing of the chromosome abnormalities.