Long-distance transportation of specimens for human tumor cloning.

52 malignant effusions and 22 solid tumors were shipped from hospitals farther than 1,500 mi away to a central laboratory for culture in a human tumor-cloning system. Overall, 56% of the malignant effusions and 50% of the solid tumor specimens formed greater than or equal to 30 colonies in control plates (per 500,000 nucleated cells plated). This experience compares favorably to the percent of evaluable specimens which are cultured in the same institution which they are harvested. We conclude that with appropriate preparation, both malignant effusions and solid human tumors can be shipped to a central cloning laboratory with reasonable percentages of growth.