Establishment and characterization of a new Ewing's sarcoma cell line from a malignant pleural effusion

Background: Ewing's sarcoma cell lines may represent a good in vitro model for the understanding of tumor biology in this heterogeneous group of diseases. In the present study, we report the establishment and characterization of a primary Ewing's sarcoma cell line (LDS-Falck 01). Materials and Methods: LDS-Falck 01 was generated from a malignant pleural effusion of a patient with metastatic peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumor arising from the chest wall. Extensive characterization of the cells was accomplished using immunocytochemical, RT-PCR and cytogenetic studies. Results: In vitro LDS-Falck 01 cells had both anchorage-dependent and -independent growth patterns. Immunocytochemical studies showed that cells were PAS-, vimentin-, CD99- and NSE-positive, EGFR- and CD117-negative. Cytogenetic analysis revealed a complex hyperdiploid katyotype with multiple chromosomal aberrations including an unbalanced translocation t(11;22)(q24,-q12). The EWSIFLI1 chimeric transcript type I was detected. Conclusion: This cell line may represent a valid tool for investigating the biomolecular characteristics of this group of neoplasms and their sensitivity to therapeutic agents