DNA content distribution of in vivo and in vitro lines of Lewis lung carcinoma.

The kinetic features of Lewis lung carcinoma (3LL) and of two in vitro and two in vivo derivative lines were studied by flow cytometry. The in vitro lines C108 and BC215 show the same tetraploid DNA content and a very similar cell cycle structure, characterized by a prevalent S fraction. Also, the in vivo lines, the original 3LL and M1087, show a tetraploid DNA content, while the BM21548 is characterized by a hyperdiploid DNA mode and a broader distribution of DNA values. No difference in the modal DNA value is found between each primary tumor and the corresponding lung metastases for all the in vivo lines. In addition, an increase in the G1 component corresponding to a decrease in the S fraction is observed during the tumor growth. These kinetic features were related to some malignant properties of 3LL lines, such as growth pattern and metastatic potential. Our findings indicate that a direct correlation is not always possible to establish.