Flow cytometry analysis of the growth inhibitory effect of 4-hydroxy-tamoxifen on a human breast carcinoma cell line.

Growth kinetics of BT-20 cells (an ER- cell line) have been studied with flow cytometry, cell counting and 3H-thymidine incorporation. The cell cycle lasts about 40 hours, with a maximum SG2M about 25h after seeding. 4-Hydroxy-tamoxifen (OH-Tamoxifen) (10(-7) M to 10(-5) M) inhibits BT-20 cell growth with maximum inhibition at 24-28h after plating. The inhibitory effect of OH-Tamoxifen is also demonstrated by a decrease in 3H-thymidine incorporation and by a reduction in cell number. These results suggest that OH-Tamoxifen is able to act upon an ER-cell line through a pathway which is different from that of estrogens.

[Diagnostic value of flow cytometry of bladder lavage in the surveillance of bladder tumors]. / Valeur diagnostique de la cytométrie en flux sur lavage vésical dans la surveillance des tumeurs de vessie.

DNA index and proliferation index (% greater than 2 n) of 125 bladder washings were studied with flow cytometry. Cystoscopy was positive in 49 patients and negative in 56 patients with a previous history of bladder cancer. There were 20 control patients with a normal bladder. Flow cytometric data was compared with cystoscopic and cytologic data. In the group of 49 patients with a positive cystoscopy, conventional cytology was suspicious or positive in 70% (34/49) whereas flow cytometry was positive in only 43% of the cases (21/49). The diagnostic sensitivity of flow cytometry increased with grade elevation: 7% of grade 1 tumors, 43% of grade 2 and 77% of grade 3 had a positive flow cytometric examination. In the group of 56 patients with a negative cystoscopy, flow cytometry was positive in 36% of the cases and cytology in 6% of the cases. The diagnostic sensitivity of flow cytometry was rather disappointing in the study on bladder washings. Flow cytometric follow-up of bladder washings should be reserved preferentially to patients with a poor prognosis, i.e., superficial bladder cancer with an aneuploid DNA content.

[Study of the DNA content of 72 cases of bladder tumors using flow cytometry. Relation with anatomoclinical data]. / Etude du contenu en ADN de 72 cas de tumeurs de vessie par cytométrie en flux. Relation avec les données anatomocliniques.

The DNA content of 72 bladder tumors and 20 healthy bladders was studied with flow cytometry. Reproducibility of DNA measurement was systematically verified with the use of 3 controls: calf thymocytes, mouse hepatocytes and a mixture of human lymphocytes with trout red blood cells. For each tumor or normal bladder, a first sample containing urothelial cells only and a second sample with the addition of trout red blood cells were systematically examined. In the first group of patients with healthy bladders the percentage of urothelial cells with a DNA content greater than G0 G1 (2N) was on average 7.9% +/- 2.8%. Among the second group of 72 tumors, 2 DNA profiles were remarkable: in a first group (39/72; 55%) DNA profile was unimodal (single diploid peak); in a second group (33/72; 45%) DNA profile was bimodal (association of a diploid peak with an aneuploid one). Comparison of flow data with pathology data (WHO classification) clearly demonstrated that the presence of an aneuploid peak, characterizes grade elevation and infiltration. Hence, 1/16 (6%) of grade I; 7/75 (28%) of grade II; 25/31 (81%) of grade III tumors show an aneuploid peak, as well as 11/44 (25%) of Ta; 9/14 (64%) of T1; 5/6 (83%) of T2, and 8/8 (100%) of T3 tumors. Demonstration of an aneuploid peak with flow cytometry particularly in the group of patients having non infiltrating Ta tumors (11/44 in our series) could further either lead to a closer follow-up of this high risk group of patients or to the early recommendation of a non conservative treatment.

Simultaneous staining of nuclear DNA and blood group cell surface antigens on cells from bladder irrigation fluid.

Simultaneous staining of nuclear DNA and blood group cell-surface antigens is proposed as a means of studying the prognosis of superficial bladder cancer. The quality of the results obtained on urothelial cells from bladder irrigation fluid, as shown by fluorescence microscopy, suggests that this staining technique may be suitable for flow cytometry.

Revelation of AB cell surface antigens on bladder-washing specimens with the immunofluorescence technique. An approach to automated cytology.

Revelation of AB cell surface antigens is possible with the immunofluorescence technique on urothelial cells from bladder irrigation fluid. Normal urothelial cells show a heterogeneous expression varying with cell type and cell viability. However, the loss of any antigenic reactivity of some cells seems to be directly related to their neoplastic features. Flow cytometry appears to be the most appropriate technique to provide the necessary objectivity for this type of study.