Correlation of chromosomal aberrations in a myeloma cell line with tumorigenicity in nude mice

A human myeloma cell line (L 363) exhibiting several markers of malignancy including a 14q + chromosome marker was not tumorigenic in nude mice. Long-term cultivation in vitro resulted in new subclones with slight, well-defined chromosomal differences to the original line. Certain subclones turned out to have a growth advantage in vitro and became tumorigenic after transplantation in nude mice. A strong correlation between changes in the chromosome I constellation resulting in the threefold dose of long arm-material and the increased proliferative potential in both experimental systems was found.