Colony growth of cells from primary breast carcinoma in soft agar culture.

An in vitro soft agar culture system was utilized to evaluate the colony growth of cells from primary breast carcinoma. A total of 53 specimens from fifty-three patients were placed in culture. Of these, 29 samples (55 per cent) formed at least 30 colonies per 500,000 cells plated. In relation to histologic type of tumor and clinical status of the disease, 4 of 4 samples from mucous carcinoma grew into colonies and, then, t-categories, i.e. histological extent of primary tumor, and colony growth showed an inverse correlation. Estrogen receptor status did not appear to influence growth of the colonies. The in vitro sensitivity studies to adriamycin showed a dose dependent increase in lethality. However, the in vitro response rate was relatively low. This assay system can be used to study the biology and clinical approaches to treatment of breast carcinoma.