title: Cell cultures and detection of minimal residual disease: significance and limitations.
abstract: This introductory article puts into perspective the usefulness of cell cultures in the area of detection of minimal residual disease. We stress the role of single cell cultures in selective media as a means to increase the number of residual tumor cells, thereby facilitating their detection by other methods. Prior treatment may affect the growth potential of cells for a very long time. Quantitation of the event to be detected is thus highly dependent on the characteristics of the cells which are also influenced by their growth environment. This environment may be optimized by the judicious use of growth factors in defined media.
authors.affiliation: Division of Oncology, University Hospital, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aapro
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Irle
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D002460:Cell Line / Q000187:drug effects; D003584:Cytological Techniques; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis / Q000175:diagnosis; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D006133:Growth Substances