A combined approach of conventional and molecular cytogenetics for detailed karyotypic analysis of the small cell lung carcinoma cell line U2020.

Until recently the ability to analyze complex karyotypic rearrangements was totally dependent upon light microscopy of G-banded chromosomes. Developments in the area of molecular cytogenetics have revolutionized such analysis, making it possible to determine the nature of complex rearrangements. An extensive analysis has been made of the small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) cell line U2020, using a combined approach of conventional and molecular cytogenetics, enabling a highly detailed karyotype to be constructed revealing rearrangements previously undetected by G-banding alone. This approach offers the opportunity to reassess other tumor karyotypes, particularly those of high complexity found in solid tumors, for tumor-specific consistent rearrangements indecipherable by conventional karyotyping.