Establishment and identification of human primary lung cancer cell culture in vitro

Objective: To explore a simple and practical method for human primary lung cancer cells culture in vitro. Methods: Tumor specimens from 6 lung cancer patients were isolated with collagenase digestion cultured in vitro. Then the characteristics of these cells were analyzed and identified by optical microscope observation, hematoxylin-eosin staining, immunocytochemistry, immunohistochemistry and tumor nude mice inoculation experiments, respectively. Results: Except for the small cell lung cancer, the other 5 samples were successfully isolated and cultured. The cultured cells showed typical characteristics of malignant cells and positive for cytokeratin 7 and 19. Moreover, the cancer cells readily formed subcutaneous tumors in nude mice and the pathological images of the transplanted tumor were consistent with its tumor origin. Conclusion: The primary culture for human lung cancer cells can be successfully achieved with the method of collagenase digestion.