Persistent use of "false" cell lines.
From HeLa and its multiple identities, to MDA-MB-435, erroneously and widely used as breast cancer cells, the history of cancer cell lines is rich in misidentification and cross-contamination events. Despite the fact that these problems were regularly signaled during the last decades, many actors of research still seem to ignore them. A never-ending story? Solutions exist, notably based on recent technical advances in cell line authentication (short tandem repeat analysis). However, a collaborative action involving users of cell lines, cell banks, journals and funding agencies is needed to achieve success.
Lacroix
Marc
M
InTextoResearch, Baelen, Wallonia, Belgium. itr@iname.com
D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000592:standards; D002460:Cell Line / Q000145:classification*; D019070:Cell Lineage; D016172:DNA Fingerprinting; D006801:Humans; D018895:Microsatellite Repeats