Tissue cryopreservation and rewarming study on giant cell tumor of bone

An attempt has been made of cryopreservation of tissue fragments from 6 GCTB surgical specimens. They have been kept in 10% DMSO or 15% glycerol medium and stored in liquid nitrogen for periods up to 180 days. Tumor cellular components survive the process of slow freezing and rapid thawing as cellular growth is successful in subsequent culture. Though certain reversible ultrastructural changes have been detected, no apparent distinction could be found in microscopic morphology, motility, growth behavior and LDH isozyme pattern between cultured cells of the cryopreserved fragments and those of the fresh ones. Electron microscopy shows that DMSO exceeds glycerol in protecting the ultrastructure of the cells. Slow cooling and rapid thawing is recommended because ice-crystals form in the intercellular space, which causes only light damage to the cells.