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[The use of microsatellite DNA markers for distinguishing metastatic tumor cells]
1Department of Surgery and Laboratory of Cytogenetics, Beijing Institute for Cancer Research, Beijing 100034 P. R. China. BICR@public3.bta.net.cn
Objective:
To study the genetic stability and to establish a method for detection of micrometastasis using microsatellite DNA in human breast cancer xenograft in nude mice.
Methods:
Fresh tissue of human breast cancer was xenotransplanted in nude mice or thotopically. Genomic DNA extracted from tissues of human breast cancer, xenotransplanted tumors and metastatic foci in nude mice were PCR amplified at three microsatellite loci (D14S68, D18S69, D20S199) and were analysed by electrophoresis and silver stain on PAGE. RESULTS Microsatellite DNA in genome of the xenotransplanted tumors and metastatic foci in nude mice were identical with that of the human breast cancer.
Conclusion:
This study has demonstrated in nude mice the xenotransplanted tumors and metastatic foci that originated from human breast cancer. The genetic stability in human breast cancer is evident in the processes of xenotransplantation, serial passages in nude mice, metastasis and in vitro culture. This method is sensitive and specific for the discrimination of metastatic tumor cells.