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Updated: Jun 30, 2026
08:12
The Use of Mouse Mammary Tumor Cells in an In Vitro Invasion Assay as a Measure of Oncogenic Cell Behavior
Published on: June 12, 2019
Cell invasiveness in sarcomas: a possibly useful clinical correlation.
Katia Bifulco1, Annarosaria De Chiara, Flavio Fazioli
1Department of Experimental Oncology, National Cancer Institute of Naples, Naples, Italy.
Tumori
|October 1, 2008
Summary
An in vitro cell invasion assay for sarcoma can predict disease progression. Tumors with low invasion potential correlate with longer disease-free survival, suggesting this assay may identify aggressive sarcoma forms.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Cell Biology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Sarcoma prognosis is difficult to predict accurately at surgery.
- Novel methods are needed for early detection of aggressive tumor behavior.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate an in vitro cell invasion assay for predicting sarcoma patient outcomes.
- To assess the correlation between sarcoma cell invasion index and disease progression.
Main Methods:
- Primary sarcoma cell cultures were established from surgical specimens.
- In vitro cell invasion assays were performed using Boyden chambers and Matrigel-coated filters.
- Sarcoma cell invasion index was determined relative to human fibrosarcoma HT1080 cells.
Main Results:
- A low cell invasion index (39.7% +/- 8.9) was associated with no disease progression and longer disease-free survival (21 months).
- A high cell invasion index (61% +/- 5) correlated with disease progression and shorter disease-free survival (9 months).
- A statistically significant correlation (P = 0.003) was found between cell invasion index and disease-free survival in 7 analyzed cases.
Conclusions:
- In vitro cell invasion assays using primary sarcoma cells show potential for predicting disease aggressiveness.
- This assay may aid in identifying patients with more aggressive forms of sarcoma, guiding treatment decisions.
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