ScienceDaily (June 21, 2012) Modern cancer therapies start in cells -- researchers compare cancer samples to healthy cells to discover how cancer is genetically different, and use cell lines to test promising new drugs. However, a University of Colorado Cancer Center study published this week in the journal Gynecologic Oncology shows that due to a high rate of contamination, misidentification and redundancy in widely available cell lines, researchers may be drawing faulty conclusions.
"I've seen faculty and graduate students leave my lab in tears when we discovered the cells on the label weren't the cells they were actually experimenting on," says Christopher Korch, PhD, investigator at the CU Cancer Center and director of the center's DNA Sequencing and Analysis Service, the paper's co-first author. "When you get a cell line, you have to look that gift horse in the mouth -- there's up to a 40 percent chance it's a Trojan horse, not what it says it is."
For example, the cell line known as HES has been widely used as a "normal" model of endometrial cells since its development in 1989. There are literally hundreds of papers that, for example, look for differences between endometrial cancer cells and these supposedly normal HES endometrial cells. Unfortunately, HES is not, in fact, an endometrial cell line. It's another cell line known as HeLa which was first derived from cervical cancer.
"In the past, the technology to check cell lines didn't exist and so you can't really blame past researchers. But today it's cheap, it's easy and the technology is widely available. There's no excuse to experiment on cells without first discovering what you're experimenting on. We've suggested that journals start requiring verification of cell lines as a prerequisite of publishing," says Andrew Bradford, PhD, CU Cancer Center investigator and associate professor in the CU School of Medicine Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the paper's senior author.
"In fact, the process of double-checking a cell line is the same process that Scotland Yard uses to identify murderers based on DNA evidence," says Monique Spillman, MD, PD, CU Cancer Center investigator and assistant professor in the CU School of Medicine Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the paper's co-first author. Here's how it works: You have a sample that you know is endometrial cells from a specific patient and you have a sample that purports to be (but may or may not be!) endometrial cells -- is there a match? If so, you've convicted the suspect cell line. If not, as the team so often found, just as DNA mismatch has exonerated death row inmates, DNA mismatch showing that a cell line doesn't match it's label can call into question perhaps decades worth of research done using the cells.
While a misidentified cell line seems likely due to a SNAFU on the part of a lab assistant with a faulty filing system, there are more ways than clerical error to end up with the wrong label on a sample of cells.
"I see two people working with different cultures in the same hood, or using the same growth medium for the same cultures with the same pipette," Korch says. "And especially HeLa is superwoman -- it can fly." HeLa cells can travel in aerosols and once they land where they shouldn't, they're so adaptive and aggressive that they tend to out compete other cell lines wherever they land -- contamination leads to a quick HeLa takeover and perhaps a vial labeled HES when in fact it's HeLa.
"If you're going to make conclusions about endometrial cancer based on a cervical cancer line, your results are going to be flawed. It's not the same genetic pathways," Spillman says.
With his tongue only somewhat in his cheek, Korch reiterates Spillman's point, saying, "If you're studying prostate cancer with a cervical cancer cell line, you're going to have problems because men with prostates don't tend to have cervixes."
The work of Korch, Bradford, Spillman and colleagues including Twila Jackson builds on earlier work at the CU Cancer Center by investigators Rebecca Schweppe and Bryan Haugen who found 50 percent misidentification or contamination in available thyroid cell lines -- for example, two were melanoma lines and another was a colon cancer line. The recent research finds the same systemic problems with cell lines of widely varying types.
Read more:
Misidentified and contaminated cell lines lead to faulty cancer science, experts say
- Vet-Stem Medistem Cellmedicine Rheumatoid Arthritis Stem Cell Video.mp4 [Last Updated On: March 23rd, 2011] [Originally Added On: March 23rd, 2011]
- Holly Huber on Recovery: Stem Cell Therapy for Multiple Sclerosis Community Outreach Dallas, TX 2011 [Last Updated On: March 26th, 2011] [Originally Added On: March 26th, 2011]
- Macular Degeneration Improved With Stem Cells [Last Updated On: March 31st, 2011] [Originally Added On: March 31st, 2011]
- The Stem Cell Institute [Last Updated On: April 2nd, 2011] [Originally Added On: April 2nd, 2011]
- Cells That Heal Us From Cradle To Grave: A Quantum Leap in Medical Science [Last Updated On: April 7th, 2011] [Originally Added On: April 7th, 2011]
- Stem Cell Treatment Doing Wonders For Autistic Boy [Last Updated On: April 9th, 2011] [Originally Added On: April 9th, 2011]
- Explore Health Don Margolis part1 [Last Updated On: April 15th, 2011] [Originally Added On: April 15th, 2011]
- Explore Health Carlos Lima - One Step at a Time [Last Updated On: May 19th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 19th, 2011]
- Stem Cell Patient Richard H. MS Treatment [Last Updated On: May 20th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2011]
- Visions Episode 92: Stem Cells Discovery [Last Updated On: May 20th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2011]
- Chemistry Tutorial 12.2c: Voltaic Cells - Practice [Last Updated On: May 20th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2011]
- Gene Doping: Super Athletes in 2008 Beijing Olympics [Last Updated On: May 22nd, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 22nd, 2011]
- Bacteria Cell [Last Updated On: May 22nd, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 22nd, 2011]
- Stem Cell Game 1 - Stem Cell Wrangler [Last Updated On: May 24th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 24th, 2011]
- RSCI Don Margolis on Repair Stem Cells [Last Updated On: May 30th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 30th, 2011]
- Mitosis - cell reproduction [Last Updated On: June 1st, 2011] [Originally Added On: June 1st, 2011]
- PROSTATE CANCER and stem cells.wmv [Last Updated On: June 3rd, 2011] [Originally Added On: June 3rd, 2011]
- Ah! So you can raise your power after all! [Last Updated On: June 3rd, 2011] [Originally Added On: June 3rd, 2011]
- BioEDEN European Stem Cell Bank [Last Updated On: June 12th, 2011] [Originally Added On: June 12th, 2011]
- Stem Cells Used to Grow Windpipes [Last Updated On: June 15th, 2011] [Originally Added On: June 15th, 2011]
- Stem Cell Game 3- Grow with the Flow [Last Updated On: June 17th, 2011] [Originally Added On: June 17th, 2011]
- Genetically modified kiwi [Last Updated On: June 20th, 2011] [Originally Added On: June 20th, 2011]
- Nurse Jackie Title Sequence [Last Updated On: June 21st, 2011] [Originally Added On: June 21st, 2011]
- Wrapsol Installation Video - Apple iPad - Original Front + Back [Last Updated On: July 4th, 2011] [Originally Added On: July 4th, 2011]
- Explore Health Don Margolis part2 [Last Updated On: July 4th, 2011] [Originally Added On: July 4th, 2011]
- Explore Health Carlos Lima and Christopher Reeve [Last Updated On: July 10th, 2011] [Originally Added On: July 10th, 2011]
- Oxidative stress: redox imbalance [Last Updated On: July 14th, 2011] [Originally Added On: July 14th, 2011]
- PROSTATE CANCER and stem cells [Last Updated On: July 25th, 2011] [Originally Added On: July 25th, 2011]
- Buy Priligy [Last Updated On: July 28th, 2011] [Originally Added On: July 28th, 2011]
- Stem Cell Therapy for Cerebral Palsy - Holly Catalano [Last Updated On: August 2nd, 2011] [Originally Added On: August 2nd, 2011]
- [Industry professional news channel itsTV] Weekly News Brief_0812 [Last Updated On: August 20th, 2011] [Originally Added On: August 20th, 2011]
- Sims 2 Mafia Story Part 7 - Farewell, Godfather/Stem Cell Medicine [Last Updated On: August 30th, 2011] [Originally Added On: August 30th, 2011]
- Doctors Use Stem Cells to Grow New Windpipes [Last Updated On: August 31st, 2011] [Originally Added On: August 31st, 2011]
- A New Way to Make Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells [Last Updated On: September 5th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 5th, 2011]
- Stem Cell Research: Huntington's Disease [Last Updated On: September 8th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 8th, 2011]
- Stem Cell Research: Huntington's Disease [Last Updated On: September 8th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 8th, 2011]
- Regenerative Medicine and Applications of Stem Cell Research [Last Updated On: September 9th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 9th, 2011]
- Genetically Modified T Cells Obliterate Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Tumors [Last Updated On: September 9th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 9th, 2011]
- Stem Cell Treatment for Autism: Community Outreach Miami, Florida - May 2011 [Last Updated On: September 10th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 10th, 2011]
- Susan Lim: Transplant cells, not organs [Last Updated On: September 11th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 11th, 2011]
- Chiropractic Sports Medicine [Last Updated On: September 11th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 11th, 2011]
- Living With and Managing Sickle Cell Disease [Last Updated On: September 14th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 14th, 2011]
- WHO Finding Adds to Debate Over Mobile Phones, Brain Cancer [Last Updated On: September 14th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 14th, 2011]
- Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins of TLC on Celebrity Medical Nightmares [Last Updated On: September 16th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 16th, 2011]
- Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins of TLC on Celebrity Medical Nightmares [Last Updated On: September 16th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 16th, 2011]
- Jello Biafra @ Rebellion 2011 - The Cell and Holiday in Cambodia [Last Updated On: September 16th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 16th, 2011]
- CIRM Bridges: Training the Next Generation of Stem Cell Scientists [Last Updated On: September 17th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 17th, 2011]
- David Kekich - Regenerative Medicine (Part 1/6) [Last Updated On: September 17th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 17th, 2011]
- Coast To Coast AM - 9.6.2011 - 1/4 - US Collapse [Last Updated On: September 18th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 18th, 2011]
- What Is Personalized Medicine? [Last Updated On: September 21st, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 21st, 2011]
- Stem Cells and a Brief Mention of Bacon [Last Updated On: September 21st, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 21st, 2011]
- Adult Stem Cell Sucess Stories - Laura Dominguez [Last Updated On: September 23rd, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 23rd, 2011]
- Is Regenerative Medicine Hype or Hope? [Last Updated On: September 24th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 24th, 2011]
- How to Buy Bitcoin - by 'The Bitcoin Show' on OnlyOneTV.com [Last Updated On: September 25th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 25th, 2011]
- How to Buy Bitcoin - by 'The Bitcoin Show' on OnlyOneTV.com [Last Updated On: September 25th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 25th, 2011]
- Samsung Galaxy S2 Unboxing [Last Updated On: September 25th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 25th, 2011]
- Finding Forest Planets (Brainstorm Ep8) [Last Updated On: September 26th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 26th, 2011]
- iPhone 3GS mobile signal problem - The Computer Room Nottingham [Last Updated On: September 30th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 30th, 2011]
- Mobile Devices' Location Tracking Raises Privacy Concerns [Last Updated On: October 2nd, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 2nd, 2011]
- Mobile Devices' Location Tracking Raises Privacy Concerns [Last Updated On: October 2nd, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 2nd, 2011]
- 21st Century Stem Cell Scientists: The CIRM Creativity Awards [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2011]
- Towing An Iceberg to Africa, wait what? (Brainstorm Ep18) [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2011]
- Need a New Liver? Then Just Print Yourself One [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2011]
- The potential of amniotic fluid stem cells [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2011]
- INCREDIBLE Nucleus Medical Media 2011 Demo [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2011]
- Stem Cell Treatments for Autism: Community Outreach Miami, Florida - Juliana Ubinas [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2011]
- Bruce Lipton: being a cell of Humanity [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2011]
- Sensitiv Imago medical device [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2011]
- New Lymphoma Drug SGN-35 - The Nebraska Medical Center [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2011]
- Rockefeller University Press Conference 2011 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine to Ralph Steinman [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2011]
- Cerebral Palsy and Stem Cell Treatments - Tim's Testimonial [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2011]
- Cerebral Palsy and Stem Cell Treatments - Tim's Testimonial [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2011]
- Cerebral Palsy [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2011]
- Stem Cells-Iran-08-28-2011 [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2011]
- After Brain Study, New Questions About Mobile Phones [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2011]
- Judy Roberson: Patient advocates drive stem cell scientists [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2011]
- Geron's Embryonic Stem Cell Clinical Trial for Spinal Cord Injury [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2011]
- Geron's Embryonic Stem Cell Clinical Trial for Spinal Cord Injury [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2011]
- Dangers of Continued Use of Cell Phones-Pulse Sep 03, Part 2 [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2011]
- 2011 Nobel Prize in Medicine [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2011]