Further evidence to support the melanocytic origin of MDA-MB-435
- Mol Pathol. 2002 Oct;55(5):294-9. doi: 10.1136/mp.55.5.294.
- 1. AstraZeneca, Mereside, Alderley Park, Macclesfield, SK10 4TG, UK. [email protected]
Background/aims: Until recently, the cell line MDA-MB-435 was widely accepted as originating from a Breast Cancer. However, microarray derived data have suggested that this cell line may in fact originate from an occult Melanoma. This study was designed to investigate this hypothesis further.
Methods: Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry were used to investigate the tissue of origin of two sublines of MDA-MB-435 (MDA-MB-435 S and MDA-MB-435 HGF). The expression of a panel of genes typical of breast cells or melanocytes was analysed.
Results: The MDA-MD-435 cell lines expressed none of the genes characteristic of Breast Cancer cells but did express several genes commonly expressed by melanocytes.
Conclusions: These results strongly suggest that MDA-MB-435 is indeed of Melanoma origin.