title: Effect of storage time of pleural effusions on immunocytochemical cell surface analysis of tumor cells.
abstract: To determine how long tumor cells can be stored without losing their immunocytochemical reactivity, five malignant pleural effusions in EDTA-coated tubes were analyzed after different storage times at either 4 degrees C or room temperature. Only minor differences were observed between the cells from the two storage conditions. Though there was a considerable decrease in the number of tumor cells attached to the slides from day 0 to 1, the number of tumor cells was still sufficient to allow their clear detection with the monoclonal antibody HEA-125 even on day 4 of storage in all cases. Therefore, for routine purposes, pleural fluids in EDTA-coated tubes can be stored for at least one day prior to immunocytochemical staining if the cells are gently handled during preparation. Pleural fluid is a richly nutritious medium not only for keeping cells alive but also for preserving their immunoreactivity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University of Bochum, Germany.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Guzman
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Arbogast
authors.forename: K J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Bross
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Finke
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Costabel
mesh_terms: D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis*; D002452:Cell Count; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000276:immunology; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology*; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000276:immunology*; D013048:Specimen Handling; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm