Differences in the growth of transplantable tumours in plasma and serum culture media

A recent study of the behaviour of normal and malignant cells in tissue cultures of transplantable tumours (Ludford, 1932, c), carried out by means of vital staining has revealed a fundamental difference between them. When a plasma culture undergoes liquefaction the outgrowth of malignant cells collapses as the result of the breaking down of the fibrin network by which the cells are supported. Malignant cells round off, usually become detached, degenerate and die. Non-malignant connective-tissue cells remain adhere to the cover-glass, and without renewal of the culture medium, often survive after all the malignant cells have diet. Such behaviore suggest a difference between the plasma membrance of mormal and malignas cells would appear to be lees adihesive. On the basis of these observation it appeared improbable that any outgrowth of maligbant cells could occur in a serum medium. Since conclusion of far-reaching Important have been drawn from experiments with culture of tumours, it seemed desirable to investigate matter under controlled conditions.