Establishment and characterization of a malignant melanoma cell line (YP-MEL) derived from a patient with neurocutaneous melanosis.

A cell line, YP-MEL, was established from an intracranial malignant melanoma occurring in a neurocutaneous melanosis (NCMsis) patient. The established cell line was successfully cultured in serum-free medium with a doubling time of 41 h. The cells were refractile and small in size, with occasional pigmented giant cells. Histochemical and immunohistochemical features were compatible with common malignant melanoma and its cell line. Chromosome analysis revealed many supernumerary chromosomes and marker chromosomes including double minutes (DMs). When transplanted into nude mice, YP-MEL formed tumors histologically consistent with the original tumor. Addition of sera to the medium caused cellular spreading and elongation of cytoplasmic processes with an increase of melanin contents and tyrosinase activity. Because there was no melanoma cell line derived from a NCMsis patient, YP-MEL might be a beneficial tool for study on NCMsis.