Sister chromatid exchange in cell lines from malignant lymphomas (lymphoma lines)

The frequency of sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) was studied in cells from three freshly established lymphoma lines, derived from two patients with Hodgkin's disease and one patient with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. These values were compared to SCE rates found in cells from two long-established lymphoma lines (Raji and BJAB) and to those recorded in control cell lines of normal human donors. The highest SCE levels were demonstrated in the freshly established lymphoma lines, the lowest SCE values separated the lymphoblastoid cell lines from healthy controls, and the older lymphoma lines Raji and BJAB presented rates in between. The influences of BUDR concentration and of the duration of BUDR treatment on the frequency of SCEs were tested. Furthermore, the dependence of the SCE rate on the time interval between establishment of the cell line and its SCE investigation was considered. The connection between elevated SCE rates and the neoplastic nature of lymphoma lines is discussed.