Increased in vitro tetraploidy in dermal monolayer cultures derived from normals.

Increased in vitro tetraploidy has been considered an in vitro expression of some cancer-prone genes in dermal monolayer cultures. (Danes BS, Alm T, Scand J Gastroenterol 16, 421-427, 1981; Danes BS, Cancer 48, 1596-1601, 1981). Its occurrence was determined in cultures established from skin biopsies from 112 normals (university students and personnel) whose family cancer histories were known to ascertain its relevance to cancer occurrence based on pedigree data. Of the 40 who gave no family cancer history, one showed increased in vitro tetraploidy (1% of the total studied; 2.5% of those without a family cancer history). Of the 72 with one or more first- or second-degree relatives with a family cancer history, 14 showed this alteration (12.5% of the total studied; 19% of those with a family cancer history). Increased in vitro tetraploidy was found in some normals from families with lung, breast, genital system, and gastrointestinal tract cancers. It may prove ultimately to be relevant to include such in vitro information in medical surveillance and cancer management programs.