In vitro cultivation of epithelial cells derived from tumors of the human urinary tract.

Finely minced explants from 54 TCC2 of the human urinary tract were cultured in vitro in an attempt to establish cell lines. Cells with epithelial morphology grew out from 48 tumor explants, and long-term cell cultures were established from 10. Six of the cell cultures have been maintained for over 18 months with 50 to 70 transfers and, therefore, are considered permanent cell lines. The epithelial cells in the established cultures are small, exhibit rapid doubling time, and show multilayering. The cells were examined both microscopically and by cultivation techniques, and they were found to be free from contaminating microorganisms, including Mycoplasma. The established cultures grow rapidly in roller bottles and, therefore, can be produced in large quantities. These cells also remain viable after being stored for 3 years in liquid nitrogen.