Chromosome analysis of a brain malignant lymphoma cell line.

Chromosome studies of a malignant lymphoma cell line derived from the brain were made by Q- and G-banding techniques. The modal number of chromosomes was 45. Complex structural rearrangements were present, but the 14q+ marker chromosome frequently seen in malignant lymphomas was not identified in the cell line. The main karyotype in cells analyzed was 45, X, -Y, del (2) (q21q23), t (3;?) (p25;?), t (p12;?), -8, 11q+, 18q+, +mar. Absence of the 14q+ may be explained by: firstly, clones which possessed 14q+ marker chromosome in brain tumor cells may have been selected out with increasing culture time and repeated passages; or secondly, the presence of the 14q+ marker chromosome depends on the type of lymphoma.